G. Larry Kelley

Unknown - Mar 31st, 2009
  • Birth Date: Unknown
  • Death Date: Mar 31, 2009
  • Funeral Date: Unknown
  • Location:
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Biography: G. Larry Kelley was born on April 13, 1916 to Norma and Eugene Kelley longtime residents of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Kelley was educated in the Little Rock Public School System, attended Little Rock Junior College and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in civil engineering in 1938. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated from Graduate School of the United States Navy in 1942, served four years during WW II in the U. S. Navy from 1941-1945 and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. He was a member of the Consulting Contractors Council, President of the Arkansas Chapter of the Associated General Contractors, served on the AGC Executive Committee and founded the closely held Business Committee. Mr. Kelley was a Life Director of the National AGC. He served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board for two years and a member of the Board for six years. He served on the boards of Dillards, Inc. and the WinRock Enterprises. He was the first co-chairman of the committee, with former Governor Win Rockefeller, which raised the money to build the Arkansas Arts Center in 1958. He served on the St. Vincent Infirmary Development Board and was the first Chairman of the St. Vincent Funding Committee which raised eight million dollars for the hospital. Mr. Kelley and Gordon Wittenberg installed the first purified water system at the Arkansas Girl Scout Camp and Kelley served on the Girl Scout Board for four years. He served with William Rector to organize "Fifty For the Future", served on the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee on three occasions and chaired the Industrial Development Committee. His construction company, Pickens-Bond, built the original Pulaski Academy in 1957 when the Little Rock School District was closed. Pickens-Bond also built the first phase of the Tampa Brewery and Busch Gardens in Florida. His company also built numerous downtown Little Rock office buildings including the Union National Bank, First National Bank (now Regions), Metropolitan Bank, Stephens Inc. and Peabody Hotel buildings. Pickens-Bond built numerous shopping malls across the country including the McCain Mall, University Mall, Park Plaza Mall, Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville. Pickens- Bond Construction Company also built the Temple B'nai Israel on Rodney Parham. His construction company formed in 1947 with Louis Nelson, Kelley Nelson Construction Company, built the first Westover Hills Presbyterian Mission Church in 1952. Kelley served as a deacon of that church. He was a member of the Naval Academy Graduate School (1942) All Star Baseball Team and the University of Arkansas Intramural football team (1938). His father said he had never seen a person who could do so many things and nothing very well. He is a member of the Country Club of Little Rock, The Red Apple Country Club, Greers Ferry Yacht Club, Ponte Vedra Country Club, Button Willow Duck Club and Trinity Episcopal Church. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Franke Kelley, two daughters, Susan Schallhorn and husband Tommy Schallhorn of Springdale, AR, Eileen Coe and husband Gary of Springdale, AR, one granddaughter Caroline Clarke and husband John Clarke and children Jackson and Elizabeth Clarke of Bentonville, AR, one great granddaughter Laura Katherine Clarke of Bentonville, AR, two step-daughters, Sherry Lewis of Kenai, AK. and Sally Lewis of Santa Cruz, CA, and one step-son, Frank Richard "Rick" Lewis of Benton, AR, and one step-grandson Chris Lewis and wife Lisa of Avon, IN, and their children Taylor and Lane Lewis; and one step-granddaughter, Susan Lafitte and husband Rick Lafitte of Dallas, TX and children Andrew and Madeline Coke. His passions were duck hunting and fishing at his beloved Button Willow Duck Club where he was a founding member. He was an avid fly fisherman and felt at home on any lake or river fishing. He loved traveling with his wife Jackie to Alaska to the Royal Wolfe Lodge in search of the largest trout he could catch. He was a competitive tennis player and played tennis into his 90s. He was best known for his enthusiasm for life. There will be a visitation on Thursday, April 2, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ruebel Funeral Home, followed by a memorial service on Friday, April 3, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ruebel Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by The Rev. Canon R. Ewing Jackson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Larry and Jackie Kelley Family Fund at the Nature Conservancy, 601 N. University, Little Rock, AR 72205 or to the charity of your choice.

Condolences(09)
Howard 'Buster' Jones and Sharon
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Larry was influential in helping me launch a successful second career in the construction business. He was largely responsible for my assignment to Machen Construction Company in the Pickens-Bond family. I will remember him fondly as a friend and colleague. One of my fondest recollections is when he gave you instructions he had you repeat them for clarity and understanding. Our condolences and best wishes to Jacqui and Susan.
Mary Healey
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Eileen and Susan,

I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. We have lost another of that "special generation" that your Dad represented, and it is a sad thing.
Eileen, you have been on my mind so much this past week while I was in Chicao. I did not know about your Dad, but something kept you front and center in my mind. I hope you are well and I would love to see you.
Please know my prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
fond regards,
Mary Healey
Gilbert and Pamela Korenblat
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We are thinking of you. May these few words express our sincere sympathy to the entire Kelley family.
Scotty Freebairn
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My sympathy to the Kelley family. Larry was an icon in the construction industry and a good friend of Acme Brick for many years.
Julie and Jeff Knight
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Never met Mr. Kelley, however, I have had the pleasure of working with his granddaughter, Caroline, at Walmart, and based on the principal that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree", Mr. Kelley was quite a person. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Larry was my friend and I shared many good times with him fishing, hunting ducks--and talking about fishing and hunting ducks. I first met Larry in 1982 when we worked together on the
Metropolitan Bank building. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He understood how to enjoy our short life here.
By condolences and best wishes to his sweet Jacqui and his special
and beautiful daughter Susan.

Rex Wilkins, Architect
Charlie Isgrig
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I called him the 'peanut butter man': no matter how thin he was pressed, he was always the best! I am so glad I knew him even for a short while. My prayers are with you Ms. Jackie and the family.
Taylor and Adam Jarboe
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Papa Larry was a very well respected and loved man. We know that he is in a much better place. We will hold onto his advice, stories, and love for the rest of our lives.
Love,
Taylor and Adam Jarboe
Lisa Lewis
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you all! We will miss our dear Papa Larry! What a strong handshake; a passionate man who had a great love for his family and for the beauty of the world we live in. He'll be missed dearly!
Lisa

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