Charles "Mick" G. Kelly


Charles G. Kelly, better known to most as "Mick," died July 3 after a struggle with Alzheimer's, cancer and traumatic brain injuries.

He was born Nov. 11,1931 and was a long-time resident of the Molalla area, having settled with his family in the region in 1940. After graduating in the class of 1950, he joined the United States Navy and served with the Fighting Sea Bees on Guam and Mainland Korea, as a Chief Petty Officer.

After his stint in the U.S. Navy, he married Betty Lou Howell in June of 1956. They were married 58 years. He graduated from the Portland Museum Art School, where he eventually served as a professor and acting dean.

He and Betty raised their family in Molalla, where he was a volunteer for the Molalla Rural Fire Protection District. Mick became the assistant fire chief and Emergency Medical Service chief for the department. He was a member of the first paramedic class in the state of Oregon, at Oregon Health Sciences University.

He became an advocate for the state trauma system and a member of the State Trauma Advisory Board. After leaving the fire department, Mick joined the Oregon Health Department and started what is known as the Mobile Training Unit. The program brought emergency medical training and continuing education to rural departments throughout the state.

Mick was a Scoutmaster for troop 257 and served as member and chairman of the school board for Molalla River School District.
He and Betty served as camp hosts for the state Parks Department. They also were full-time RV travelers throughout the west in recent years; they lived in Bend.

Charles1G. Kelly is survived by his wife Betty L.Kelly .of Bend; sons Sean C. Kelly of Kennewick, Wash, Mark W. Kelly of Stevenson, Wash., daughter Colleen I. Heilman of Pasco Wash.; brothers Richard "Pat" Kelly of Molalla and Gordon Kelly of Portland; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. July 12 at the Molalla Grange Hall. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to partnersbend.org, Partners In Care Hospice of Bend.

(Reprinted from the Molalla Pioneer, July 2014.)

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Charles "Mick" G. Kelly, of Bend

Nov. 18, 1931 - July 3, 2014

Services: Mick's family will hold a private Military Service at Willamette National Cemetery at a future date and a Memorial Service on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 2:00 PM at the Molalla Grange Hall, located at 175 Grange Avenue in Molalla.

Contributions may be made to:
Partners In Care
2075 NE Wyatt Court
Bend, Oregon 97701
www.partnersbend.org

Arrangements: Baird Funeral Home of Bend is honored to serve the family. 541-382-0903 www.bairdmortuaries.com