Orville Kelly

Orville Eugene Kelly was born September 24, 1935, in Page, North Dakota, son of Raymond and Noreen (Jones) Kelly. He grew up on the family farm near Argusville, North Dakota. He graduated from high school at Sacred Heart Academy (Shanley) in Fargo. Orv served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years. During this time, while in the Memphis, Tennessee area, he met and married Jean Davis on November 17, 1956. Jean passed away on November 8, 2006. After his discharge from the service, he returned to Fargo and graduated from North Dakota State University with a Masters Degree in Mathematics. Orv taught and coached at Shanley High School in Fargo from 1963 – 1978. He was an excellent teacher who helped influence many lives. He also was an excellent teacher (coach) on the courts and fields to many. He coached the football team with Sid Cichy from 1963 – 1978. Orv is a member of the Shanley Hall of Fame as a coach on the 1966 and 1968 football teams. He also coached basketball at Shanley from 1965 – 1976, serving as the head coach from 1965 – 1972. Orv was also the head golf coach at Shanley from 1973 – 1978. His love of teaching and coaching was, and still is, reflected on the many that had the privilege of learning from him. Orv left his teaching position in 1978 and went to work for Butler Machinery of Fargo before becoming a broker and account executive at Merrill Lynch in Fargo until his retirement in 2000. Since his retirement, he worked part time at Adessa Auto Auction and at El Zagal Golf Course in Fargo. Orv married Joanne Philbrick on July 23, 2011, in Fargo. Orv was one of the founders and dedicated organizers of the Roger Maris Golf Tournament. Over the years, Orv worked continuously to raise funds for Fargo Shanley and Roger Maris Cancer Center and many other charities in the Fargo/Moorhead area. Orv also was a former head of the Knights of Columbus in Fargo. Orv received many awards over the years for his public service and in his professional careers. One of utmost importance in his life came in 2009 when he received the Mike and Karen Hofer “Deacon Award”. This was given to him by the Fargo Catholic Schools for his work and service to the schools and their mission. Orv will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His dedication to people and community service work was unparalleled. He was always there to help a person in need or to lend his time and resources to help others. Over the years, Orv has continued to be one of the strongest supporters of Fargo Shanley and could be seen at almost every sporting event that Shanley was involved in. When not watching his beloved Deacons, Orv could be spotted at ball fields, courts or hockey rinks all over town watching his beloved grandchildren and cheering them on. Orv died March 28, 2012 at Sanford Health, surrounded by his loving family. Orv is survived by his wife, Joanne, Fargo, ND; son, Shawn (Kristi) Kelly, Fargo, ND; daughter, Tamera (Derek) Sunderland, Fargo, ND; step-children, Scott (Candace) Philbrick, Fargo, ND; Angie Philbrick, Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Kaitlin and Kristin Kelly; and Davis, Dylan and Dallas Sunderland; step-grandchildren, Parker and Lauren Philbrick; brothers, Larry (Diane) Kelly; Jerry Kelly; George Kelly; Dennis (Sue) Kelly; sisters, Charlotte Lancaster; Kathy (Joe) Robinson; Shirley (Tim) Petry; and Carol (Jim) Bell; brothers and sisters-in-law, Diana Bossert; Larry and Darlene Bakken; Danny and Dianne Bakken; Bonnie and Myron Harsch; Linda and Ron Kendall; Jim and Judy Bakken; Terry and Laurie Bakken; Randy and Missy Bakken; and Stan and Cathy Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jean; and infant sister. Memorials are preferred to the charity of your choice. Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, March 31, 2012, at 10:30 AM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Friday, March 30, 2012, fro