James Matthew Clayton Kellar, born June 19, 1939 in Mandan, N.D., passed into the arms of Jesus, his loving family at his side, on October 2, 2024.
Jim often reflected on his life, continually amazed and humbled by how and where he had come, from dire poverty, working as a young boy (father died when he was five) shining shoes, as a vet assistant and as a newspaper carrier to help put food on the table, to being able to travel and cruise on four continents (even staying in a royal Scottish castle), from growing up in a dysfunctional split family to lovingly raise two daughters and others on a small family farm, residing there for fifty-nine years, from a family, most of whom had never finished school to becoming a well-loved teacher, from being helped financially in his youth to financially helping family and friends, often gifting needed vacations, from normally avoiding public expression to twenty-eight years as a fire commissioner for CCFD #1.
Jim was passionate about providing his family love and stability, as well as helping others in need.
Normally quiet in groups, Jim's whole character changed when he picked up that trombone! It was then that he would share with others the saying he had taped to his trombone case, "Music is what feelings sound like!" Jim, a music major originally, and Mary Jo, wife of 60 years and love of his life, met in the music program at WSU, so music was always in their lives. Jim began his teaching with bands and choral groups. Through later years, the Kellars had season tickets for Portland productions, and upon retirement, Jim joined several music groups, most notably the Vancouver Pops Orchestra. Kellar daughters and grandchildren took piano lessons.
Jim was best known as a teacher, but he wore many hats: Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and cousin-in-law, then a fire commissioner, financial advisor, passionate gardener, reader, farrier, world traveler, professional musician, backyard farmer, hunter, fisherman, always following his Christian faith.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary Jo, daughters: Kim Thomas (Malcolm) and Audrey Mainwaring (Alan), grandchildren: Deidra, Nicole, Ronald, Tabitha, Kimberlee, Kaitlin, Allison and Jessica, plus five great-grandchildren, niece Marilyn Shine, nephew Myron Schauss (Kim) and their sons Jackson and Mason.
The family gratefully thanks Kaiser Hospice, especially Sarah and Amanda.
Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to Red Cloud Indian School, 100 Mission Drive, Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770, or The Salvation Army, 11018 NE 14th St., Vancouver, WA 98684.
There will be a service at 11 a.m. October 19 at Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene.
