Ira Frank Kelley |
| Posted 2009-07-05 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Wednesday, July 01, 2009 Ira Frank Kelley, 94, a long-time Arizonan, passed away June 28, 2009, in the Arizona Pioneers' Home, Prescott. Ira was born Dec. 21, 1914, in Barksdale, Texas, to Zack and Pearl (Taylor) Kelley. They were ranchers in the hill country, descendants of Texas pioneers. In 1930, the family homesteaded on East Antelope Creek out of Yarnell, their "pack-in place" far from any roads. Ira attended school in Peeples Valley and Octave, now a ghost town. Ira married Mary Louise Catron of Prescott in 1938. During their 32 years together, they ranched in southern Yavapai County and lived in Phoenix. After her death in 1970, Ira married Patricia Faulkner. They ranched at the Cross Y in Black Canyon City, moving to Chino Valley in 1986. Pat died in 1989. Ira moved to the Arizona Pioneers' Home in 2006. There he encountered many old friends and gathered new ones, as he did wherever he went. He was also preceded in death by his brother Lewis and nephew Bobby Kelley. He is survived by children Frank Kelley (Pat) of Oregon; Rita Wuehrmann (Chris) of Chino Valley; Victoria Whited and David Kelley, both of Phoenix; and Christina Vickers of Prescott; step-children Patrick Faulkner (Cindy) and Judy Jenkins, both of Oregon; and Mike Faulkner (Patty) of Phoenix; numerous grand- and great-grandchildren; niece Donna McGhee of Phoenix; and nephews Johnny Miller of Phoenix, Rick Kelley of Congress and Billy Kelley of Kingman. He will be remembered at a memorial service at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Unity Church, 145 S. Arizona Ave., Prescott. Donations in Ira's memory may be made to the Arizona Pioneers' Home activity fund, 300 S. McCormick, Prescott Ariz., 86303. Information provided by survivors. |
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