Obituary of John Meighan Kelly, Jr.

John Meighan Kelly, Jr., of Houston, died on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Born on September 22, 1934 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to John Meighan Kelly and Joan Audrey Bath Kelly. John was welcomed as the first son after three daughters, Frances (Bob) Mannix, Joan (Wirg) Wirges, and Suzanne Kelly, all of whom preceded him in death.

John graduated from Marquette High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1952 and the University of Notre Dame with a B.S. in Engineering in 1956. John proudly served in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) throughout his time at Notre Dame.

In the fall of 1955, John’s junior year at Notre Dame, he was introduced to a lively young woman through a classmate. Just four blocks apart, they got to know each other playing cards and becoming friends. Eventually, Loretta (Lori) Kazmierczak was John’s date to his Senior Ball, beginning a relationship that was full of adventure and joy. 

Upon his graduation from Notre Dame in 1956, John began his career in the oil and gas industry at Sinclair Refining Company at their East Chicago Refinery. John’s outstanding work at Sinclair set in motion what would become his lifelong career in this field. Early on he showed a keen understanding of and a passion for the many facets of this complicated industry.

In June of 1957, he was called to active duty in the Air Force. After navigator training, John was a navigator on the KC-97, an aerial refueling tanker, until June 1960, when he was released from active duty. During his time in the Air Force, John developed a deep but reserved patriotism. Throughout John’s life, he gathered with his military friends whom he held in great esteem.

Upon John’s return from the Air Force, he married Lori on July 2, 1960, and they lived in Hammond, Indiana. Later that year, John was chosen to go to Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela to work for the Sinclair Venezuelan Oil Company at El Chaure Refinery. While there, they welcomed two daughters, Kathy and Susan.

In 1964, John and Lori moved to Great Bend, Kansas, where John worked for Northern Gas Products Company, a subsidiary of Northern Natural Gas. His distinguished service in extracting natural gas liquids and helium from the natural gas pipeline culminated in the position of Director of Company Development. His greatest achievements during that time were the addition of two more daughters, Patti and Margaret. After a short stint in Omaha, Nebraska, he moved to Houston where he became the Vice President of Val-Cap Petroleum, a small propane company. His next move was to form a company, Vanguard Petroleum Corporation with colleagues from Nebraska, Phil Trotter and Tom Garner. He semi-retired in 1990 and enjoyed traveling with Lori and visiting their grandchildren.

In addition to his work in the industry, he continually worked on behalf of the industry as Director of the Gas Processors Association. He received the industry’s Recognition Award in 1997 honoring individuals with long careers in the midstream industry demonstrating integrity and cooperative spirit.    John’s other passions included his church as a volunteer in many capacities, local government, and a community volunteer who drove the elderly. John served on the University of Notre Dame’s Engineering Advisory Council from 1982 until 2022. He advised, he mentored, he donated, and he built lifelong friendships with his fellow council members.

John will be remembered for his incredible generosity to many, his humble demeanor, and his quick wit. Everyone who encountered John enjoyed his warm personality and felt blessed to be in his company. And none more than his family whom he loved dearly.  He was the original Girl Dad before it was even a thing.

John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lori Kelly; daughters, Kathy Hendry (Tim), Susan Malmquist, Patti Kelly and Margaret Kelly; seven grandchildren, Kyle Schmitz (Megan), Kelly Boone (Derek), Derrick Schmitz (Miriam), Meghan Timm (Max), Patrick Schmitz (Paige), Will Malmquist and Brad Malmquist (Doris); and seven great-grandchildren, Kinsley and Audrey Schmitz, Cooper and Callan Boone, Sarah and Jordan Schmitz and Clark Timm.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., on Friday, August 9, 2024 at St. Theresa's in Memorial Park, 6622 Haskell Street in Houston, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024 with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall, also at St. Theresa's in Memorial Park.

The Rite of Christian Burial will follow at a later day at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, Indiana.

Donations may be made to the St. Joseph Scholars Program/St. Joseph Engineering Scholarship, University of Notre Dame. Funds will help provide Engineering students opportunities to pursue scholars access to opportunities like summer study abroad, summer research experiences and internships or the possibility to attend professional meetings or conferences, which they would not normally be able to afford.  Please contact Notre Dame Development Office, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556  or visit https://giveto.nd.edu/give and reference the St. Joseph Scholars Program.