Rex J. Kelly
1927 - 2008
PMHC CEO 1967 - 1992
Mass of Christian Burial Services for Rex J. Kelly was at the All Saints
Catholic Church, Holdrege on Monday, March 17 at 10:30 a.m. with Father
Thomas Lux, officiating. Rosary was prior to Mass at 9 a.m. at the
church. Interment in Exeter Cemetery, Exeter, NE at 2:30 p.m.
Rex James Kelly, 80 years, Holdrege, passed away on March 11 at Holdrege
Memorial Homes. Rex was born July 22, 1927 to James P. and Stella M.
(Becker) Kelly in the Sullivan home near Exeter, NE. He was baptized and
confirmed in St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Exeter. He graduated from
Exeter High School, 1945, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was unable
to serve his country due to a severe injury in a farm accident. In 1946,
Rex enrolled in Kearney State Teachers College where he was an active in
the Caledonian Fraternity, president of his senior class and graduated
with a BA in Education in 1950. During these summers, Rex traveled with
a combine crew from Oklahoma to South Dakota. His first job was Junior
Engineer for the NE Highway Dept., Lincoln.
At college, Rex met Shirley A. Church of Clarks, NE. They were married
at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Central City, July 14, 1951. They
lived in Omaha, where Rex was employed by the Douglas Co. Health Dept.
In 1952, Rex and Shirley moved to Kearney to begin his job as an
inspector for City of Kearney.
Rex’s career in healthcare started in 1955 when he was hired by Good
Samaritan Hospital, Kearney. In 4 years, he became Good Samaritan’s
Assistant Administrator. He served there until 1967 when he accepted the
Administrators position for the new Phelps County Memorial Hospital in
Holdrege, which soon became Phelps Memorial Health Center. He played a
key leadership role in the planning and development of the new hospital.
He was administrator until he retired in 1992. During his healthcare
career, Rex served on boards and committees for the Midwest Health
Congress, NE Hospital Association, NE Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Central NE
Emergency Medical Services, Regional Hospital Advisory Committee of
American Red Cross, Kearney Area Health Services Administration, Central
NE Community Health Education, Holdrege Planning Commission, NE State
Board of Health and American Hospital Association Council for small
rural hospitals.
He was recognized for this leadership by earning the Award of
Professional Excellence by the American College of Health Care
Executives and the Caring Kind “Employee of the Year” award by the NE
Hospital Association. He was President of Nebraska Hospital Association,
1974, and of Holdrege Rotary Club, 1979.
Rex was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was active in his
church and loved hunting, fishing, horses and rodeos. He also loved
people.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Shirley, Holdrege; four sons:
Thomas E. Kelly & wife, Arlene, Atlanta, NE, James P. Kelly & wife, Meg,
LaGrange, IN, John T. Kelly & wife, Linda, Westlake, OH and Daniel J.
Kelly, Nebraska City; one daughter, LouAnn Lowe & husband, Steve,
Kearney; nine grandchildren: Katherine (Kelly) Stewart, Holdrege, Mary
Ann Kelly, Atlanta, Stephen & Kelly Lowe, Kearney, Samantha Kelly, North
Platte, Elizabeth, Benjamin & William Kelly, LaGrange, IN, & Megan
Kelly, Westlake, OH. He is also survived by three sisters: Marion
Geiger, Exeter, Colleen Blessing & Kathleen Rupert, both Lincoln; & many
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Rex was preceded in death
by his parents; one son, Dennis Patrick Kelly; two grandchildren; two
sisters and four brothers.
Visitation was Sunday, March 16, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Nelson-Bauer Funeral
Home, Holdrege. Memorials are suggested to All Saints Catholic Church or
the charity of your choice. Expressions of caring and kindness can be
sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
|
|
