Henry "Hank" Kelly, Jr.

KELLY, Henry Achard Jr. "Hank" - Age 82, of Gaines, passed away on May 5, 2021. Visitation will be held 10AM-2PM Thursday, May 13, 2021 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden followed by a graveside service at Argentine Cemetery. Hank was born August 19, 1938 in Gaines, the son of Henry Achard and Vivian Louise (Brady) Kelly. He was a 1956 graduate of Gaines High School, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track as a Freshman. Hank was a top athlete throughout his life. His love of baseball showed from his dedication as a pitcher. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, leaving out of the Durand train station for basic training, arriving in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri on July 11, 1956; he was honorably discharged on December 31, 1963. Hank was an avid golfer and trap shooter, receiving numerous awards. In 1971, he joined the Argentine Police Department as a patrol officer. In 1972 he was promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant in 1975 and Chief of Police in 1977. Hank had a long standing in the department and the community until his retirement from Argentine in 2003. Following retirement, he volunteered for the police in Gaines. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; children, Kevin (Icel) Kelly, Dennis (Kathryn) Kelly, Jeanette (Jim) McWilliams, Jill Degroot, Kenny Kelly and Janet Cumbee; siblings, Jack (Evelyn) Kelly, Robert (Laurie) Kelly and Diane (Don) Sites; step-daughters, Nichol (Steve) Johnson and Bridget (Tony) Hetchler; he was papa to, Joyelle, Brody, Stu and Darci. Hank was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jacquelyn R. (Vincent) Kelly; brother, Thomas Kelly. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com