John Kelly Jr.

Obituary For John Kelly Jr.

John “Jack” Kelly Jr, 89 of Memphis TN. Went to join his wife and Lord and Savior Friday, January 23, 2026 directly ahead of one of the longest lasting snow and ice storms in Memphis.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years Ronni B Kelly, mother Helen “Leuters” Kelly, father John J. Kelly Sr. and brother Richard Kelly of Philadelphia PA. His grandson John “Tyler” Merrit, and son in law Alfonzo John McCutchen Jr. of Memphis TN.
Jack left behind 3 daughters. Kathi(Dick)Totty of Waynesville Mo. Arlene(Jak) Jakubowski of Bartlett TN. And Kimberlee McCutchen of Memphis TN. He also leaves behind 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren all across America.
Jack was a Jack of all trades. In his youth he had worked for Dick Clark’s American Bandstand which later on led to an oppurtunity to move to Memphis TN. Jack moved his family to Germantown TN in 1973 so he could work for Stax Records in Distribution and Sales traveling all over America. Including working on the movie Stax Watts. After Stax he and Estelle Axton started Freetone records. Afters his days in music he worked for Calgon and Merck chemical companies. Following with Liberty National insurance. He then started his own Manufacturing Roofing company with his friends Joe Hill and Hermie Adams. Following that national adventure he built his own Security Doors in Arkansas selling all over the MidSouth. And even after he retired he went back to work delivering car parts for Midas. He loved sales because he loved talking to people. He was the best story teller.
He loved music. All types of music. 1950s music held a dear place in his heart because he and his wife went to dances in this time frame as teens. But his favorite band of all time was the Eagles. He owned every album of theirs.
His favorite activities were golfing, fishing, camping, singing in the car on road trips and picnics. All these activities he loved because he did them with family.
The best patriarch a family could ever have. He called every kid, grandchild and great grandchild at least every other week. He was very interested in their lives. Their interests and things they were doing. In talking a family member and hearing something about their day he would ask, “and what did you learn from that.” Meaning each thing that happens in your life is a learning opportunity. Life’s lessons on how not to repeat any struggle that you go through. Not to repeat mistakes. He was a coach or teacher of life’s lessons.
Pop will sorely be missed by every member of his family. He moved to Memphis as a group of 5 people plus a dog and a cat. He left behind 29 family members all from him and untold amounts of cats and dogs. But his dog Walker misses him dearly.
There will be a family celebration of life later. Stories would greatly be appreciated as a continuance of Jack’s legacy. Contributions to Diabetes or Kidney Foundations would be greatly appreciated.

Send flowers to the service of John Kelly Jr.