HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1959.08.05 - 19154Resolution # 3557
MEMORIAL RESOLUTION August 5, 1
BY; Mr. 1-:ortoc:,
IN RE: MEMORIAL FOR HOWARD K. KELLEY
TO; THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
No finer tribute could be expressed in memory of Howard K. Kelley, Mayor of
Royal Oak and a awm;:„;:er of this Board, than the words spoken by the Rev. Charles C.
Jatho in the simple service attended by more than 500 of his friends at the St. John's
Episcopal Church on Tuesday, June 23, 1959, four days after his untimely death on
June 19, 1959. The Rev, Jatho saki: "Ken Kelley was faithful to his country, faithful
to his church, faithful to his family, faithful to his friends, faithful to his responsibilities,
Howard, who passed away at the age of 40, had served as Mayor of R::iyai Oak
since l'?53 He had b.F,e.:1 a member of the Royal Oak City Commission since before he
finished college. As of this Board of Supervisors for five years, he was known
for his leadership in the ;nierests of providing an adequate water supply from Lake Huron
for the southeastern Michigan area. He was known for his eagerness to make government
work. His life was pledged to preserve the strenf ..th of local government and help it
overcome its weaknesses,
As expressed in an editorial in the Royal Oak Daily Tribune two days after his
death; "He died too soon. Not that his work was uncompleted; public service never is.
Because he had so much to give and was so generous of his self. This community, all of
South Oakland, has lost a dedicated man,"
Howard Kelley was born in Highland Park on December 14, 1918, and moved to
Royal Oak with his parents at the age of 3. He was a groc:Iuote of Royal Oak High School
and Class President in 193:5. He entered the Army during World War II as a Private and
Fld-r—oTc--i R:Ti'ner William C. Hudson
Cir-c,irrnan
Fr.i6 VV. SMItil
rose to the rank of Captain. He attended the University of Michigan, the Detroit Institute
of Technology„ and received his law degree from the Detroit College of Law.
As a public official he was alert to the needs and desires of the individual —
always keeping an eye on the needs of which individuals might not have been aware.
It is very appropriate to have the words of Rev. ..lotho, as spoken at the conclusion
of the Memorial Service for Howard, included as a port of this resolution so that they will
be engraved in the public records forever. As his voice broke, the Rev. Jatho said:
"By faith Ken Kelley educated himself. By faith he served his country. By faith this
youngest IVklyor of Royal Oak gave himself unstintingly. . . By faith he rendered
. a masterful record."
Howard is survived by his wife Louise, his two children, Leslie Anne, age 12,
and Howard W., age 9; his mother, Mrs. George Cook, all of Royal Oak, and a brother,
Ralph E., of Pensacola, Florida.
MR,. CHAIRMAN, on behalf of the Special Committee and all the members of the
Board of Supervisors, I move that the foregoing resolution be spread upon the minutes of this
meeting of the Board and that a certified copy thereof be forwarded by the County Clerk
to his surviving wife and children.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE
Copy sent to :qrs. Kelley.