Kent Colin Kelly

Kent Colin Kelly

Omaha, Nebraska

“K.C.” Kent Colin Kelly, husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska following a brief battle with stomach cancer. Born on February 25, 1954, in Grand Island, Nebraska, to Howard V. and Florence (Fulton) Kelly.

He graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1972 and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln starting with a major in Chemistry and switching to Business.

K.C. was united in marriage to Kim Valandry on March 14, 1981 at Lincoln Christian Fellowship. While living in Sterling, Colorado, the marriage was blessed with their first daughter, Megan Kelly, in 1984. In 1986, they were blessed again with the birth of their second daughter Piper Hodge, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

K.C. dedicated his professional career to Kelly Supply Company, the company his father (Howard) and uncle (Ralph) founded in Grand Island in 1947. He was known for his commitment and integrity, representing the company from 1979 in positions including road salesman in Lincoln, Nebraska, branch manager in Sterling, Colorado, branch manager in Marion, Iowa, and ultimately President and CEO at which time he moved to Omaha, Nebraska. He held this position until his retirement in 2015. His work was not just a job but a testament to his dedication to his family's legacy.

Throughout life K.C. found beauty in music and photography. He loved to travel and had a passion for genealogy. His family tree was expanded with the birth of his first granddaughter, Katherine Hodge, in 2016 and his second granddaughter, McKenna Hodge, in 2020.

He shared his love for life, music, photography, travel, Husker football and his family with everyone he met. He played keyboards with many friends and several bands over the years beginning in junior high in Grand Island. There were many jam sessions and reunions with classmates over the years and his gift for music will be missed. K.C. loved to travel with the goal of going to as many states and national parks as possible.

K.C. was known for his kind and generous spirit, always ready to lend a helping hand. He was dedicated to every community he lived in as is evident through the friends who will always remember him, his service on the worship team in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his role on the Board of Nebraska Christian College, and his commitment to charity.

Preceded in death by his parents, Howard V. and Florence (Fulton) Kelly; brother and business partner, Jeffrey W. Kelly; cousin Michael Kelly; brother-in-law Heinz Albrecht, sister-in-law Nancy (Stevens) Kelly, and brother-in-law Rex Rhodes.

K.C. is survived by his wife Kim Kelly; his daughters Megan Kelly of Houston, Texas, Piper (John) Hodge and grandchildren Katherine Hodge and McKenna Hodge all of Nelson, Nebraska; sisters, Patricia (Kelly) Albrecht Rhodes and Sheila (Kelly) Kepler (Steve); special cousin Erin (Kelly) Caudill; sister-in-law Priscilla “Cissi” Glendening Kelly; numerous relatives, cousins, nieces and nephews as well as innumerable friends he considered his extended family. His family and friends will forever hold dear the warmth and kindness he shared with everyone he met.

A memorial service to honor K.C.'s life will be held at Butherus-Maser & Love in Lincoln on Saturday, December 7th at 1 pm. Family, friends, and all whose lives he touched are invited to celebrate the life of a remarkable man who will be deeply missed but fondly remembered. Refreshments will be served after the service.