Reece Kelly

Fort Lewis College professor emeritus Reece Kelly died Friday, July 15, 2011, in Durango from complications of renal cell carcinoma. He was one week shy of his 73rd birthday.

Mr. Kelly was born to George Bernard and Thelma Doris “Babe” Kelly on July 23, 1938, in Utica, Mont. His mother died when Mr. Kelly, their 11th child, was 2. He was placed in an orphanage in Twin Bridges, Mont., for three years until family members were able to take him in.

Mr. Kelly graduated from Stanford High School in Montana in 1956 and enlisted in the Air Force.

“Despite acing all the aptitude tests, Reece could not gain the high-security clearance needed to train in aerial reconnaissance because he could not name all 10 of his brothers and sisters, much less provide telephone numbers or addresses,” his family said. “Instead, he became a jet engine mechanic and maintenance instructor, which fostered his love of classroom teaching.”

On Sept. 17, 1961, he married Darlene Joan Winter in Stanford. The marriage later ended in divorce.

From 1961 to 1964, Mr. Kelly fought fires and manned fire lookout towers and campgrounds for the Forest Service in Montana.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington State College in 1964, and a master’s in history and a doctorate in European history from the University of Washington.

Mr. Kelly bought a 1969 Volkswagen van in Brussels and toured Europe for two years researching his dissertation. He had the van shipped to the U.S. when he and his wife returned in 1971 and drove it until 2003, often using it to haul firewood or building materials.

“Eventually a respected member of the community and the elder statesman of his neighborhood, he and Darlene were initially scorned by their conservative neighbors as McGovern-loving, VW van-driving hippies when they moved to Durango in 1971,” his family wrote.

Mr. Kelly was a professor of European history at FLC for 32 years, from 1971 to 2003. He served as the college’s representative to the Colorado State Board of Agriculture and as chairman of the history department.

On July 6, 2009, he married Susan McGinness in Durango.

Mr. Kelly was known for being passionate about politics and active in the Democratic Party. He enjoyed cooking stir-fries and barbecuing steaks and pork chops; growing tomatoes and tending roses; woodworking and remodeling homes; playing with his granddaughter, Simone, and teaching her how to fill his bird feeders; and rooting for FLC sports and Duke University basketball.

Mr. Kelly was preceded in death by his stepgranddaughter, Louise Franks.

He is survived by his wife of two years, Susan McGinness, of Durango; former wife, Darlene Joan Kelly, of Durango; son, Kynan Winter Kelly, of Durango; stepson, Brian Franks, of Bozeman, Mont.; brother Jim Kelly of Spokane, Wash.; sisters Georgie Vasseur of Billings, Mont., Laura Williams of Rhome, Texas, Caroline Thomson of Helena, Mont., and Rosie Manicke of Whitefish, Mont.; and one granddaughter.

Cremation has occurred. A memorial presentation will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2011, in Noble Hall, Room 130, at FLC. A potluck reception will follow at Mr. Kelly’s home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at www.mdausa.org; or the Reece Kelly Excellence Fund, FLC Foundation, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO 81301-9933.