Former superintendent of schools dies

Frank Kelly, former superintendent of the San Juan Island School District, died Wednesday in Redmond. He was 68.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 18, 1 p.m., at 11525 19th Ave. SE (Bothell/Everett Highway), Everett.

His family submitted the following obituary:

Frank Kelly
1939 – 2008

Frank Kelly passed away peacefully on May 14 surrounded in love by his wife and daughters.

Frank was born Sept. 23, 1939 in Oklahoma, where he was raised and attended Northeastern Oklahoma State University. While in college, Frank married his wife, Patricia, and upon graduating in 1962, they moved to Washington to begin careers in education.

Frank enjoyed more than 30 years as a successful teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. His quiet self-confidence enabled others to shine and enjoy the limelight. While coaching and teaching in Mossyrock, Wash., he completed a master’s degree in school administration. Frank served as principal of Centralia High School, Moses Lake High School and West Bremerton High School, and as superintendent of Reardan, San Juan Island and Inchelium school districts.

After retiring in 1992, Frank pursued his lifelong love of fishing, making his special “Kelly Killer” fishing lures, foreign travel and adding to his collections of stamps and Roman artifacts. Although he enjoyed these hobbies, what he loved most was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Frank was a selfless man, kind and loving with a big heart, who had a positive influence on everyone he met. He was a dedicated husband, father, Papa and friend. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him enjoyed his sense of humor and admired his wisdom.

Frank believed his greatest attributes to be his compassion and understanding, his sensitivity and accepting nature and his commitment to quality education. Frank’s wit and humor and his generous spirit will be remembered and missed by all.

Frank is survived by his loving wife, Patricia, of Redmond; daughters Paula (Karl) Nelson, of Snohomish, and SueAnne (Scott) Olson of Redmond; grandchildren, Taylor Jones and Jaymeson Nelson, of Snohomish, and Michael and Max Olson, of Redmond; his brother, Ted (Patricia) Kelly, of Bixby, Okla., and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 18, 1 p.m., at 11525 19th Ave. SE (Bothell/Everett Highway), Everett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Frank Kelly at www.roomtoread.org, an organization that builds schools and libraries in Third World countries.

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