Kelly Lee Jones, the son of Maurice Eugene Jones and Mary Catherine (Vance) Hope, was born December 20, 1965, in Fairfax, Missouri. He attended Tarkio High School, Tarkio, Missouri, graduating in 1984. Kelly attended Northwest Technical School, Maryville, Missouri, where he received his Auto Mechanic Certificate in 1987.

In the late 1980s to mid-1990s, Kelly worked at the NAPA Auto Parts store in Tarkio. He hauled grain for a period of time for Bill Smith Trucking, Tarkio, and Bill Miller, Shenandoah, Iowa. From early to mid-2000s, he delivered camper trailers throughout the country. He later was employed by Carquest Auto Parts in Maryville as a parts salesman, until his health declined.

In 1993, Kelly began serving with the Tarkio Volunteer Fire Department, retiring in 2015. He loved operating the pumps on the trucks and won numerous trophies in water fighting for the department. Kelly was deemed an Honorary Fireman. Kelly also was a member of the Slo Rollers Car Club, where he served as Vice President for several years. He passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the age of 59.

Kelly was preceded in death by his father and numerous aunts and uncles. Survivors include mother, Mary Hope, Tarkio; brothers, Curt (Kim) Jones, Hickory, North Carolina, and Mike (Sandy) Jones, Blair, Nebraska; nieces and nephews, Nicole Baldwin, Chris Baldwin, Lindsay (Matt) Lampert, Stuart (Meagan) Jones, Miles (Cheyenne) Jones, and Tyler Jones; uncle, David Vance, Tarkio; great-nephews, Josh, Levi and Watson; great-niece, Makynlee; numerous cousins; and special friend, Teresa Strawhacker, and her son, Devon.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, conducted by Mr. Chris Stevens. Open visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 7, at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. There is no scheduled family visitation. Inurnment will be at Home Cemetery, Tarkio. Memorials may be directed to the Kelly Jones Memorial Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.