He was born April 21, 1928, in Pomfret, the son of the late Tower and Frances Howard Kelley.

Jim was a 1946 graduate of Cassadaga Valley Central School.

A Korean conflict veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy receiving training in electronics.

He was employed for 40 years with Niagara Mohawk as a planner, retiring in 1986.

He was a past member of the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department, Cassadaga Memorial American Legion 1280, Rosicrucian Order AMORC, Peacock Lodge 696 F&AM, Stockton Federated Church, Chau-tauqua County Firemen’s Fraternity, American Red Cross Century Club as a blood donor, served 10 years on the Cassadaga Valley Central School Board of Education, former player with the Cassadaga Bombers in the Grape Belt League and was an avid golfer.

Husband of 30 years to the late Nona Putnam Kelley, whom he married Sept. 13, 1952, and who died Feb. 1, 1982; father of Keith (Mary) Kelley and Dennis Kelley; grandfather of Jeff (Luz) Kelley, Amber (Michael) Malinowski, Mandy Kelley and Colleen (Don) Finley; great-grandfather of Isabella, John, Brenden, Logan, Kara and Mia; brother of the late Lucille Smith, Marshall Kelley and infant sister, Eleanor Kelley. Also survived by nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday in Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville. Burial in Green-wood Cemetery, Stockton.

Memorials to Greenwood Cemetery, Stockton, or the Cassadaga Memorial American Legion 1280, Cassadaga.