In Memory of Samuel Stewart Kelly

Samuel Stewart Kelly
May 3, 1946 - Feb. 13, 2008

Many times, over the years of the life of this congregation, I’ve had visiting ministers say words to the effect, “every church needs a,” followed by “Cal Hardy,” “Mike or Tom James,” “Chris Knott,” or any of the great number of good and faithful men (and women) who have steadfastly stood for, and defended this church; but none more often than the name, Sam Kelly.

Brother Kelly was a third generation Pentecostal, having the strong genetic characteristics of his pioneer-preacher grandfather, E. A Stewart. However, both he and his older brother, Larry, were raised in a backslidden home. When their father, L.W. Kelly Sr. found employment at the Martin Co. in Denver, the family moved here from Dalhart, TX. Sam was twelve, and his brother, seventeen. Larry had just graduated from high school when they moved.
    Their Grandfather, then retired Pastor Stewart, wrote the history of the family, sending it to me and giving me their address in Littleton, a Denver Suburb. I was happy to visit the family, but had not the foggiest notion of how truly happy they were going to make me!
    On the very same Sunday night, in 1959, Larry Kelly and Joan (Satterwhite) Knott received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. What a glorious night it was in the old store building! Not long after, we moved into the new sanctuary on S. Pearl St., where young “Sammy” Kelly, at the age of thirteen received the Holy Ghost. We were in a revival with Evangelist, Sister Willie Johnson.

Sam’s Spirit baptism wasn’t just a little touch. He was still speaking in other tongues, long after the altar service ended. In fact, someone had the forethought to start the reel-to-reel tape recorder, recording that beautiful heavenly language! It was frequently interspersed with moments of gleeful laughter. I can hear it now.

He and his brother were musicians in public school and quickly found their places in the church’s music program. In time, Sam would become the church’s orchestra director and overall music director. He served in that position till his death – well over forty years. The Tuesday night before his home going, my wife and I sat with Pastor Jerry Rowell in Yuma AZ, watching the service on computer. As Brother Kelly made his final count down to lead our beautiful orchestra: “1, 2, 3, play!” Brother Rowell counted aloud with him. Shortly after his passing the next day, his wife (my beautiful sister, Vonda) told my son, “He’s probably already twisting knobs on heaven’s sound system!” He was chief church sound engineer from the early days, and for many years (more so recently) he was known to have his handy decimeter at hand at all times!

To try expressing the love this church had, and will remain to have for Brother Kelly would be unthinkable. He was a genius in so many areas. From the earliest days of the computer age, he had a clear understanding of their inner working. At his job at the University of Colorado (from which he retired a number of years ago), he was known to be able to simply take a non-working computer in his hands and diagnose its problem – before picking up a screwdriver!

Bro. Kelly created and developed the unique music-teaching tool, Notes Of Joy and, at times without receiving enough offering to cover his expenses, traveled great distances from church to church, introducing his simple method of starting a church orchestra. How could a man with such talents extend his time for creating, developing, traveling and teaching? In one word, insomnia! He wasn’t plagued with the inability to sleep; he simply taught himself to live on a bare minimum. Rest and relaxation were luxuries he seldom enjoyed. But when he took the time to go fishing, he had the best luck of any fisherman I’ve ever known. Cast after cast, he caught fish, after fish!

I’m running overtime and out of space, but will see to it that this article, in its entirety makes the Sunday Bulletin. It’s impossible to tell of Brother Kelly’s loving devotion for his wife, precious children, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. He took my sister as wife, knowing her mother and family’s need of her continued financial support. What other husband would allow his wife to continually hand over her paycheck, week after week, and month after month? His graciousness, courtesy, and Christian gentleness was unsurpassed.

Our loss is heaven’s gain, and grief is tempered by the fact that we’ll soon be reunited, never to part again. Our prayerful support is extended to his devoted wife and family. Unwaveringly, they’ve followed his example of faith, charity and steadfastness. That may be his greatest gift to his church –  a priceless heritage! God bless them all.