Ronald D. "Pete" Kelly

When the doctor told Pete Kelly's family that he would die during the night, Pete emphatically responded, "The hell I will." And so he gave his family and dear friends from First Presbyterian Church the chance to share their love for him, to pray and to sing for him, with Pete providing the harmony.

Among his last visions on Earth was a photo collage of three grateful generations of loving people who owe him not only their lives, but their joy in living them.

And so, his soul filled, Pete drew his final breath on the morning of Friday, March 7, 2014, while his family held his hands and whispered goodbye.

He was 68 years old.

Pete Kelly was born in Townsend on July 14, 1945, to Ron and Dorothy Kelly. He loved growing up in a small town among people who would remain his friends his entire life. Some of his best memories were of long summer days playing endless hours of baseball and he passed his love of the game on to his three sons.

In March 1964, Pete Kelly and Helen Delano saw each other for the first time at a Class C basketball tournament dance in Helena. It was an immediate attraction, and six months later they were married at the First United Methodist Church by the Rev. George Harper. It was the beginning of a deep, lifelong love affair and adventure.

Pete began his career in sales and management in Helena where he worked for Livingston Shoes and as a department head at J.M. McDonald Department Store.

In 1969 he went to work for Farah Inc. and the family moved to Rapid City, S.D. After two years on the road, traveling South Dakota and Wyoming with far too much time away from his family, Pete took a leap of faith. The young couple loaded their belongings in a U-Haul van, packed up their four children and moved to Missoula, a place Pete had loved since his days as a student at the University of Montana. It was a move they never regretted.

Pete began a career in radio with Western Broadcasting, moving from sales to upper management in a few years. He also became a well-known radio sports broadcaster, calling high school basketball and football games alongside such names as Ken Staninger and Cato "The Cat" Butler, who dubbed him "The Crystal Pistol."

In 1987 Pete changed careers and became the fleet and commercial manager for Karl Tyler Chevrolet where he worked for 24 years. His love of people and his complete integrity won him many loyal customers and friends.

He loved Missoula and wanted to give back to his community — and give he did. While working in broadcasting, he served with the Chamber of Commerce Red Coats. As his boys grew up, Pete coached their Little League teams and was the president of the Mount Sentinel Little League for several years.

And, of course, he was an avid Grizzly fan and supporter, spending many hours donating his time to fundraising. His relationships in the Grizzly Athletic Department were among his most treasured. During his many years at Karl Tyler, he was a driving force in the dealership's community involvement, spearheading the Can the Cats Food Drive, working with AniMeals and serving on the DUI Task Force. The dealership's support of Grizzly Athletics was driven by his enthusiasm.

He and Helen were avid Missoula Osprey fans and for a number of years they enjoyed housing Osprey players in the summertime.

His greatest passion, however, was for Special Olympics. For nearly 20 years, he was committed to the cause of raising money and awareness. Pete considered many athletes among his dearest friends.

One of the most rewarding experiences of his life was his involvement with Missoula Community Theater, where he had parts in six different productions including a leading role as the coach in "Damn Yankees."

In recent years, his favorite role was that of a Stephen Minister for First Presbyterian Church, where he counseled and comforted the sick and the suffering.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Ron and Dorothy. He is enjoying the wet kisses of his long-lost best friend, Herkie, the Pomeranian poodle who brought him so much joy in this life.

Pete is survived by his wife of 49 years, Helen, of Missoula; daughter Kristin (Andy) English of Missoula; sons, Todd (Kirsten) Kelly of East Peoria, Ill., Brent (Lynn) Kelly of Missoula and Jamie Kelly of Missoula. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Connor and Maren Kelly, Kaitlin (Seth) Armerding, Jordan English, Amy (Jake) Foote, and two special little ones, Sheylen Kelly and great-grandson Desmond Foote.

A memorial service will take place on Friday, March 14 at Pete's spiritual home, First Presbyterian Church, 235 S. Fifth St. W. A reception will follow in the church's Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, Pete and Helen would like memorials to be made to Five Valleys Special Olympics, c/o the YMCA, 3000 S. Russell, Missoula, MT 59801
Read Ronald Kelly's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.