John Lance Kelley

© Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home

May 2012

Submitted by: Martha Real

John Lance Kelley was 24 years old and was the second child born to Dale and Diane Kelley. He was born at Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on August 28, 1987.

He lived with his parents along with his sister Dala Dyan at their home in the Peavine Community in Stilwell, Oklahoma. John attended school at Peavine Grade School and Stilwell High School where he graduated and alter attended two semesters at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Sports were one of his enjoyments in life. He played baseball from the time he was 5 years old and all through high school. Basketball was what he excelled in due to having long legs and being able to jump real high.

John learned early in life to like politics (probably from his mother). When he was a junior in high school, he had the honor to page at the State Capital for Speaker of the House of the House of Representative Larry Adair. He was determined that voting was a privilege and encouraged his friends to vote and be heard. John was a member of the Cherokee Nation and was a very proud of his Indian heritage and knew that he would work for the Cherokee Nation at some point and time having grown up with his parents and grandparents who had worked there.

John was currently employed with Cherokee Nation Entertainment at West Siloam Springs Casino and Hotel. He loved his job because he met so many people. Motorcycles were his love and passion. He started on a 4-wheeler at the age of 4 and his father made sure he had something to ride whether it was a dirt bike or street bike. Anyone will tell you that knew John, that he was an excellent rider and did stunts on his bikes. Sometimes he would do stunts for some of the little kids. He liked attending Bikes, Blues and BBQ in Fayetteville, Arkansas every year. He even knew some big known bike riders. His bike has a “New York Yankee” emblem which depicted his favorite baseball team. Every chance he got you would find him and his dad watching the New York Yankees baseball games. It even became a family event for all of them to sit down and watch the baseball game.

John learned to play the guitar from one of his friends and really loved to sing and play. Not too many people knew his talents but he had many.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Homer and Lela (Emberton) Kelley and Lewis and Anna Lois (Grigsby) Argroves, three uncles; William Laverne Kelley, LeRoy Kelley and Wayne Kelley.

He leaves behind a loving family that includes his parents; Dale and Diane Kelley, sister; Dala Dyan all of the home in Stilwell, OK, his granny and papa; Owen and Edith Knight of Stilwell, OK, Grandma and Grandpa; David and Bonnie Mae Ledbetter of Goodman, MO, Aunts and Uncles; Karen and Bruce Sheats of Pryor, OK, Lesa and Amos Nichols of Sand Springs, OK, June Maher of Tahlequah, OK, Kathy and Lonnie Martin of Stilwell, OK, Alleta and Dale Watson of Springfield, Missouri , Dawane and Terri Ledbetter of Houston, TX, adopted aunts; Brenda Doyle Stephenson, Margie Williams and Laura Palone. Two great aunts; Wilma Agnes Smallen and Mary Ellen Johnson of Tulsa, OK, special cousin’s; Brannon Bradley of Pryor, OK, Bradley Halfacre of Tahlequah, OK, Dustin Askins of Pineville, MO, Angela Fuson, Billy Martin, Bobby Martin all of Stilwell, OK, and Dayna Ledbetter of Corpus Christi, TX, many cousins, other relatives and close friends also survive him.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the New Life Church with Bro. Mack Crittenden and Pastor Max Ford officiating. Interment followed in the Stilwell City Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home.

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