Dr James Kelley

View Video TributeDr. James Brinkley Kelley, 71, a beloved local physician, passed away Tuesday morning, July 9, 2013 at his West 6th Street home. He was a family practitioner in Columbia for more than 30 years. Over the course of his career, he provided care to thousands of Maury County residents, always with the same kind, matter-of-fact way. Born in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., on July 24, 1941, Dr. Kelley was the son of the late Joe Thomas Kelley and Dorothy Cole Kelley. He was a graduate of Columbia Military Academy and served in the United States Army. After returning from a deployment in France, Dr. Kelley received a bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Memphis with his medical degree in 1971. Upon graduation, Dr. Kelley returned home to Maury County to serve the community where he grew up. A long-time member of the medical staff at Maury Regional Medical Center, Dr. Kelley served as chief of the hospital's medical staff in 1994. He spent many years working as the physician at Monsanto and Occidental and as the doctor for all employees of Maury County's government. Dr. Kelley was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church. Dr. Kelley loved his family, travel and the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and had a long, successful involvement in the Tennessee walking horse business with life-long friend James Hoil Walker. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Martha Horner Kelley, and three daughters, Dr. Martha Ann Pratt (Mark), Laura Katherine Sowell (Matt), and Leigh Kelley Lindsey (Scott). He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren, whom he loved very much: Alexander Brinkley Pratt, Edward Russell Pratt, Ann Gray Sowell, William Freeman Sowell, Margaret Haywood Sowell and Russell Brinkley Sowell. He is also survived by a sister, Nancy Kelley Grooms, and brother Joe (Martha) Kelley. Active pallbearers are Fred Baker, Dr. Victor C. Beck, Dr. Amit Choksi, Jerry Corvin, Jim Curry, Dr. Eslick Daniel, Lee Duff, Butch Moss, Dr. Dennis Onks, Arthur Reuther and James Hoil Walker. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Armstrong, Dr. C.W. Ball, Trim Beasley, Dr. Stewart Fisher, Dr. Tim Gordon, Waymon Hickman, Dr. Houston Jameson, Gene Lindsey, Dr. Jim Marshall, Tom Webster and Dr. John Worthman. The family will hold visitation at Oakes & Nichols from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Zion Presbyterian Church with the Reverend J. Arch Warren and Paul Joiner officiating. Condolences may be offered online at www.oakesandnichols.com. The family suggests memorials to Maury Regional Health Care Foundation, 1224 Trotwood Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401 or Zion Presbyterian Church, 2322 Zion Road, Columbia, TN 38401..