Kletis Ronald Kelly entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on June 14, 2026, at his home on Wagon Wheel Ranch. He was born on November 24, 1940, in Elkhart, Kansas, to Jim Adrian and Wanetta Stalford Kelly. Kletis was known for his faith in God, hard work, generosity and service to others.
Raised in Elkhart, he worked at the Elkhart Tri-State News, at his father’s gas station, and on his grandparents’ farm and ranch. He would pursue a degree at Bethany Nazarene College, and after completing his studies, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in the Washington DC area. While serving at the Pentagon, he met the love of his life, Janet Robinson, a Women’s Army Corps member from Ironton, Ohio. The two wed on June 3, 1962. After their military service, they moved to Baca County, Colorado, where they worked and raised their family alongside his grandparents, Theodore and Naomi Stalford, on the farm and ranch. Kletis found purpose in working the land, caring for livestock, and being a faithful steward of the blessings God had provided. He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and remained steadfast in that belief throughout his life and sought to honor God through both word and service. As a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene, he taught Sunday School, served as superintendent and board member, led congregational singing, participated in Work and Witness mission trips, he also ministered through chapel services at the Care Center in Elkhart.
Kletis’ legacy lives on through his children, Larissa Avery and husband Jeff of Edmond, Oklahoma, Bryan Kelly and wife Sonia of Walsh, Colorado, and Brent Kelly and wife Lori of Omaha, Nebraska; Eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and one on the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister, Ardith Couzens and his wife, Janet Kelly.
Kletis will be remembered as a follower of Jesus Christ, a devoted husband and father, a respected farmer and rancher, and a friend to many. His family finds comfort in the promise he believed throughout his life: that through Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
— Matthew 25:21
Funeral service will be Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10:00AM at the Elkhart Church of the Nazarene in Elkhart with Reverend Roberto Ibarra officiating. Interment will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery with military rites by the Southwest Kansas Veterans Funeral Honor Guard and the Kansas Military Funeral Honors. Visitation will be Friday, June 19, 2026, at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Elkhart from 2:00PM- 8:00PM with family present from 5:00PM-7:00PM. Memorial contributions may be given to Whistle Stop Park or Elkhart Church of the Nazarene in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 514 Kansas Street-PO Box 854, Elkhart, Kansas 67950. Condolences may be posted at garnandfuneralhomes.com.