John "J. K." Thomas Kelly, 57, Belton, MO, died Friday, February 2, 2007 at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 7 at the Atkinson Chapel, Harrisonville. Friends may call 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, February 6 at the chapel. Burial will be in Freeman Cemetery, Freeman, MO. Contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice House or American Heart Association.

J. K. was born August 11, 1949 in Iowa City, IA, the son of Thomas "Jack" and Ruth (Stilwell) Kelly. He graduated from Galva, Illinois High School. J. K. married Linda Franse on April 22, 1989 in Belton, MO. J. K. was a Vietnam Air Force veteran. He was an over-the road truck driver for Cartwright Van Lines in Grandview, MO and also worked for Wal-Mart in Harrisonville, MO. J. K. loved the outdoors, including hunting and fishing. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and the Rivers of the Living Water in Sugar Creek, MO.

J. K. was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Kent Kelly, one daughter, Barbara Ann Kelly. He is survived by his wife, Linda, of the home; one adopted daughter, Gina Holmes and her husband, Randy, Independence, MO; two sons, Thomas Kelly and Laurie, and Timothy Kelly, all of Fort Walton Beach, FL; one stepson, Bill Franse and his wife, Amanda, Cleveland, MO; his mother, Ruth Kelly, Galesburg, IL; one brother, Tommy Kelly, Peoria, IL; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Kelly and Adriana Franse and three adopted grandchildren, Will, Jerry and Sarah Holmes.