Clint Kelly's Obituary
James Clinton Kelly III (Clint) passed away at the age of 75 on April 13, 2025. Clint was born
on January 2, 1950, in Pendleton, Oregon. He grew up in West Linn and Jennings Lodge until
the age of 9 when his family moved to Hermiston, Oregon. Clint and his family lived in a
basement house next to his grandparents until they moved to a farm out of town. He
graduated from Hermiston High School and attended Eastern Oregon College for one year and
then transferred to Oregon College of Education (OCE) which he attended for 7 years. He was
a music major with an English literature minor. Clint and Shirley Farah met at OCE in 1969, and
reconnected in 2018. After leaving college, he was employed by Union Pacific Railroad where
he worked for 20 years.
Clint was very active in sports and music. In high school, he was an accomplished wrestler.
He also participated in football, baseball, and track. He played the cello and sang with the
Mixed Chorus, The Footnotes and Hermiston Men of Song. In college, he played cello and
string bass in the orchestra and sang with the Select Singers. He participated in the pit
orchestra or as an actor in various plays at college.
Clint continued enjoying sports and playing music throughout his life. He organized a sports
ministry along with brother Paul at Highline Christian Church in Burien, Washington, played on
several adult softball teams, played golf and disc golf, participated in Senior Olympics, bowled
on multiple leagues, played corn hole and pickle ball. He volunteered at his sons’ schools and
worked as a Seattle Mariners seating host at the home games.
Clint is survived by his wife of 5 years, Shirley; children Brynnen McIver, Alex (Becca) McIver,
Kris (Jazmin) McIver, James (Caitlyn) Kelly; siblings Paul, Tim (Christina), Dan, Linda (Judy);
grandchildren Abby, Emma, Alex, Killian, Lukas, Lenny; and numerous nieces, nephews, and
cousins. He was preceded in death by parents Jim and Joyce, first wife Kyra, brother Mike.
A memorial service will be held at Christian Church of St. Helens on May 31, 2025, at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Church of St. Helens
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