Patrick J Kelly, a longtime Montana lawyer, passed away on June 7, 2019 after a lengthy illness in Billings, Mt., where he had been living since 2014.
Patrick was born July 1, 1942 in Miles City, Montana to Daniel G. Kelly and Mary Ellen (Leonard) Kelly. He was the eldest of five siblings, Kathleen, Daniel, Matthew, and Joseph. He graduated from Custer County High School in 1960. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas, St Paul, MN in 1964 and from the University of North Dakota Law School in 1968.
After law school, Patrick returned to Miles City to practice law with his father, Dan Kelly and his uncle, Jack Carr, in the law firm started by his grandfather, Patrick F. Leonard, in 1916. Patrick practiced law in Montana for more than fifty years.
Throughout his professional life, Patrick was driven by his desire to provide legal counsel to all and his deep regard for the rule of law. He was very active in the Montana State Democratic Party. He attended several National Conventions as a delegate and worked tirelessly for Democratic Party candidates over the years, which in Montana can be very hard work indeed.
Patrick served on the Montana Career and Technical Education Board in the 1980’s and for many years was a member of the Montana Supreme Court’s Judicial Selection Commission. Patrick was a lifelong enthusiastic supporter of the Miles City Public Library and the Miles City Art Center. He was a superb and rather haughty cook who loved to produce gourmet meals for family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel G. and Mary Ellen Kelly, and his brothers, Matthew and Joe. He is survived by his brother, Daniel and wife Mary Kelly of Des Moines, IA. and their daughter, Brigid Kelly of Los Angeles, CA, and sons, Daniel and Patrick of Des Moines, IA. He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen and husband George Luger of Albuquerque, NM, and their daughter, Sarah (Ray) of San Francisco, CA, son David (Annabell) of Edinburgh, Scotland, and son, Peter (Thais) of Walnut Creek, CA. He is also survived by his former wife, Janet R. Kelly and by his cousins and their children in the Carr and Grady families.
A memorial gathering in Miles City will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Patrick J. Kelly Scholarship Fund at 3900 Ingersoll Ave, Suite 300, Des Moines, IA 50312.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Dawn Perkins says
I am very saddened to see this for I had the honor to work in the same law office and have a friendship with him. He was an amazing and brilliant man with a heart of gold and would help a friend in need whenever needed. I will always remember are talks about family Pat, keep things straight up in the heavens!
M J CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Bill Holton says
My sympathy and condolences to the Kelly family
Mary Ann Liles says
Sending my condolences to Pat’s family. We grew up together in the same neighborhood and Pat beaned me in the noggin with a snow covered rock and gave me my first concussion one winter day at the skating rink bowl. We were having snow fights and I lost! (I didn’t forgive him until the ’90s!) We enjoyed many interesting conversations over the last twenty years, often about politics, and we will miss seeing him at gatherings. Rest in Peace, Pat.
Mary Ann (Stockhill) Liles and Jim Liles
Susan dow says
These last years have been so difficult for Patrick and for all who cared for him. I do so hope he has found peace. He loyally and unquestionably supported me at several very difficult times in my life and I will be forever grateful to him. RIP my dear friend.
Stanley Markuson says
Pat was a tremendous lawyer. I spent many hours working with him. It was never dull. He will be missed.
Bob Brooks says
Pat and I disagreed in Court, but agreed that each side had to give it’s all.
Jessie Kransky Beehler says
Janet & family of Pat
I’m so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. He will be missed by many. May your fond memories bring you comfort in your times of grief.
Mary Fitzgerald says
In the lucky lives of those of us who knew him well, Pat Kelly will remain unforgettable. He was unquestionably the most superb and entertaining storyteller ever to walk the prairies of Montana…
Thanks to him, I’m left with a life-long treasure trove of outstanding memories. What a feast!
My deepest sympathy to Kathleen, Danny and family.
Richard Price says
Dear Kelly Family and Friends,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the recent loss of Patrick. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss during this difficult time of grief. I met Patrick through Janet many years ago and we became good friends. He was so warm and clearly dedicated to his job and family. I visited Montana several times because he and Janet were a joy to be around. I know Patrick will be missed. I will keep the Kelly family in my prayers.
John W Clark says
Sorry to hear this news.
Kimberly Mees says
I worked for Patrick J. Kelly, Esq., for 12 years. He took a chance on me, and after a week of filing stacks of papers, he kept me on, and I learned so much from being in his office. He helped me and my 3 children so much over those years. People saw Patrick J. Kelly the Lawyer, I saw Pat, my friend. His stories were legendary and at times hard to believe, but Pat always wanted to write a book, and I wish he would have, it would have been a Bestseller. Thank you Pat, for teaching me about every Legal aspect of the job, which I still use from time to time. Pat always said I should go back to school to be a Lawyer, I did go back to school, but I am going to be a nurse. I wish I could have told him that, among other things, I know he would have been proud of me and my kids.
Garth Sleight says
Pat was passionate about everything he did and was an excellent attorney. We enjoyed our conversations with him and will miss him tremendously. Thank you, Pat, and RIP!
Carilee Sleight says
Pat Kelly was a dear friend. His skill as an attorney, his big-hearted generosity, and his wit will never be forgotten. May God rest his soul and comfort his family.
Tom Clarke says
I’m sorry to learn of Pat’s passing. He and I cancelled each other out in many an election, but my family members always knew that if I got myself into some kind of legal trouble, Pat was the person to call. Now I have to find a new defense counsel. As others have already said, we had many a great conversation, even if I did most of the listening. I didn’t mind, and learned a lot from those conversations. I always respected his passion and opinion.
Brigid Kelly says
Boy, are we grateful to everyone who is taking the time to post their memories of Uncle Pat. We couldn’t possibly know all the people he interacted with otherwise. It’s amazing to read the various accounts and see all the people he impacted in some way. Thank you for sharing your stories.
Brett & Kimber Emmons & family says
We send our sympathies to your family. Your wise, kind words throughout to our family will be remembered always.
Caroline Fleming says
My sympathies to all Patrick’s family and friends. He was a unique and special person, great teller of stories and excellent attorney who helped so many. I think of him often when I pass his lovely house and am quite sure that will always be “Pat and Janet’s house” in my mind.
JDennis Corbin says
My sincere sympathy to pat’s family. I practiced law with Pat for over 35 years and always appreciated his guidance as a young attorney
Maggie Boulding says
What an amazing life! Of course Patrick was a phenomenal person with our dear friend, Dan as his brother. Sending prayers and our deepest sympathy across the miles to the Kelly family at this difficult time. With love from the O’Harra girls
Vickie and Dave Gunderson says
To all of Pat’s family, we are so very sorry about his passing. He and Janet, and his parents and siblings were good friends of our family for many, many years. Blessings to all of his family.
Doug Benge says
Accounting careers and law careers frequently cross paths and such was the case with Pat and me. I very much respected his legal mind, and there was never a lull in the conversation with him. I jokingly would say he could take a five minute conversation and cram it into an hour. But, they were interesting, entertaining and I learned from them. Glad I had those opportunities.
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Kim Gillan says
Dear Kelly Family
I am sorry for your loss; we all share in the loss of a great man! As a fellow Democrat, I remember many conversations about the future of the party…statewide and in Eastern Montana. He was very helpful to everyone, and for me, provided some extremely practical legal advice….gratis. I know these past few years have been challenging. and its important to remember the good times and as many have shared, the great stories Pat told. He must’ve kissed the Blarney Stone! Kim Gillan
Linda Niedge says
Carr Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am keeping you all in my heart and prayers.
Linda
Katherine Hosbein says
Pat had a heart of gold and a brilliant mind. I will never forget his passion for politics and justice in this world; he was always fighting for the underdog whether it be in a court room or in a living room. I will miss his sound judgement and unending desire for knowledge. I will miss his amazing gourmet dinners and the conversations that came with it. He taught me how to boil pasta until it is perfectly al dente, which in my opinion, is one of the great life skills that is not taught in school. I will miss my favorite Irish man but he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Vicki W. Dunaway says
There is a fine line between genius and insanity, and Patrick walked that line very carefully. He had a wonderful off beat sense of humor that was unparalleled and which served him well both inside and outside the Courtroom. I enjoyed Pat’s friendship for 45 years, and I will always think fondly of him and all the laughter he created in his wake.
He was indeed “one of a kind”, and I’ll miss him.
Yvonne (vonnie) Becker says
To the Family of Patrick Kelly, I extend my sincere condolences on behalf of many members of my family who knew him well. He was a close friend of my uncle George Kurkowski. My father, Warren Becker of Forsyth, consulted him several times regarding legal matters, and I also had retained him for legal advice. He was a brilliant and knowledgeable man in many areas besides the legal field. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. R.I.P.
Ray and Audrey Splinter says
Our condolences go out to Pat’s family and friends. Pat was a good friend to us when we moved to Miles City from Mankato, MN way back in 1976. We loved his balcony apartment on the hill! Even though we were only in Miles City for 3 years our friendship continued throughout the years. Pat would stop to visit us whenever he was in MN. He was one of our very favorite memorable characters and we will miss him. We’re so glad he was a part of our lives.
Mark Browning says
I’m sorry to hear the news of your loss of Patrick. I’ll remember the good times and his contribution toward the success of the WaterWorks Art Museum. I’ll keep private the thoughts that’ll make me smile, too. Journey in Peace, my friend.
Patricia Callaghan says
Rest in peace, Pat. Years of memories and friendship will never be forgotten.
Tim Thilman says
My utmost condolences and solace to Janet and all Patrick’s family and friends.
Patrick’s passing has saddened me as a great loss to my perception of the world and the wonderful people in it. For more than 50 years, Pat and I have been talking or visiting each other. His wonderful irrelevance and articulation of the events and conditions in our lives and of the world in general, both entertained and elevated my ability to see beyond the facades and get to the realities. Although most of his friends and family don’t know me, I am one of his biggest fans. We first met in Minneapolis for a New Year’s Eve, and that started visits to the Black Hills by me and several friends, and Miles City by me. Pat visited me in Atlanta several times.
My words here mean little, but my emotions and good wishes for Pat are gargantuan. There is no replacing that unique place he held in this world, nor the deeds he might have done.
Perhaps I should recall that he was a dear friend and able accomplice in many adventures and misadventures that have made this a better place to exist. Memory of the old Irish song “The Parting Glass” that goes: “…..And all the harm that ever I did, it was mostly to myself”.
Live outrageously and well in his memory!
Jane Kelly says
Patrick dearly loved his family – and they all loved him. He will be forever fondly remembered.
Terry Mohr says
My heart took a nose dive when I saw this. Such wonderful memories from the mid seventies when I lived in Terry working for MSU. Pat was was such a funny, kind, smart and supportive guy…. I will always remember when Pat and Terry H and I joined in the Parade during the wild bucking horse weekend wearing Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter masks as Max Baccus walked beside us with a smile and handshake for all. Love to all who loved Pat. Love is forever.
Mark Jacobson says
It is December of 2019, and I just learned of Pat Kelly’s death when I attempted to call him on three telephone numbers that I had for him and got no answer. I then looked him up on Google and discovered that he died in June of this year. I was very saddened to learn of his death, and I want to extend my sincere condolences to all members of Pat’s extended family. Pat and I graduated from Custer County High School in the same graduating class in 1960. I have periodically had conversations with him (on occasion when he referred a matter to me, as I was in private law practice in Minneapolis, and on a couple other occasions when I referred matters to him). Pat was a brilliant attorney as well as a sincere and entertaining friend. One thing that I learned about Pat upon reading his obituary was that he and I were both born on the same date — July 1, 1942 — Pat in Miles city and me in Whitefish, MT. I will always remember Pat fondly, including some of our antics going back to our high school days in Miles City. He was a true friend and a great guy and will be missed by us all (although his legacy will be long remembered).
Mark A Seeley, SRA says
Mark A Seeley
I just learned of Patricks death 3/27/2020.
Patrick and I attended St. Thomas College of St. Paul,Minnesota and were roomates for 1 year.
Patrick was a exceptional student, and great friend. I spent 2 weeks at his home in Miles City in the
summer of 1963. We kept in touch for many years in the 60’s and 70’s 80’s & 90’s. Pat would always call me
at my home in Algona,Iowa typically after midnight. We would normally talk for an hour or two.
Patrick and I would attend the opera on Friday nights while at St Thomas. Weekends were special
as I had a sister who lived in Golden Valley , Mn They had a 1954 Chevy that we had access to
and explored St Paul and Minneapolis every weekend. I am saddened by his passing and will always
remember the great times we had at St. Thomas and the years after graduation.
To Patricks remaining family, you have my deepest sympathy.