Gerald Anthony Kelly, Jr.

Gerald Anthony Kelly, Jr. 76, of Marianna, Florida, died Saturday, December 6, 2025, at his home, after an extended struggle with dementia. Jerry was born in Pensacola, Florida, to the late Gerald Kelly and Elsie Pope Kelly.

After graduating from Escambia High School as a star athlete in basketball and baseball, Jerry attended Chipola College on a baseball scholarship. Following graduation, he signed with the New York Mets and played minor league baseball (AAA) for several seasons before completing his education at the University of West Florida. He met his wife, Jackie Fay, at Chipola, and they were married on June 16, 1974. Jerry began his career as a recreation director with the State of Florida at Dozier School for Boys and concluded 37 years with the State at Jackson Correctional Institution. For 40 years, he officiated throughout the Panhandle, refereeing a variety of boys’ and girls’ sports and calling high school and junior college baseball.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Jackie Fay Minchew Kelly; daughter, Jennifer Irene Kelly Hatcher (Tom) of Roswell, Georgia; grandchildren, Margaret Irene Hatcher (six years) and Jack Meyer Anthony Hatcher (11 months) of Roswell, GA; sister, Theresa Kelly of Pensacola; brother, Michael Kelly of New Orleans, Louisiana; and brother-in-law, Ed Minchew of Roswell.

The family would like to thank VITAS Hospice staff for their exceptional care. The family is especially appreciative to VITAS nurse Nancy Dean, who visited twice weekly for a year, as well as his caregivers, Melody Brown and Christine Green. Also, the family was supported by wonderful neighbors and friends who visited, called, provided food, and shared memories.

Funeral services will be 3:00 PM, Monday, December 15, 2025, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Marianna , FL, with Father Phil Fortin officiating. Private interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM, Sunday, December 14, 2025, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.

Memorial contributions in Jerry’s memory are accepted and may be made to one of the following: his beloved church, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 3009 5th Street, Marianna, Florida 32446 or his favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.