About Inductee

His own athletic career, his generosity to others and his service to the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame make Jack Kelly a logical and fitting inductee into the Hall of Fames Class of 2004. Born June 25, 1926 in Owens Cross Roads, Kelly is a graduate of Madison County High School, where he excelled in athletics and academics. He was an all-district and all-county basketball player and an all-county softball player in 1945. After growing six inches in height between his sophomore and junior years, Kelly was switched from forward to center and led the Cotton Pickers to records of 17-8 and 29-4. Kelly and his teammates were undefeated in city and county play in 1945. As a B team player in 1943, he hit a shot from near mid-court to win a game; it remains one of his fondest memories. From 1947-55, Kelly was an all-city player in the competitive YMCA leagues. In 1998, the gymnasium at Madison Academy was named in Kellys honor, thanks to his financial contributions to the school. A homebuilder for 47 years, Kelly served as a member (and later chairman) of the Board of Equalization from 1967-80 and as the chief appraiser for Madison County from 1980-95. He has also been active in the U.S. Army A.G.F. Liaison Division, the Home Builders Associations of Huntsville-Madison County, the Kelsum Corporation, Mayfair Towers Corporation, Libemore Corporation and the Mayfair Church of Christ, where he has been a member since 1955. Kelly credits his high school coach, W.O. Woolley, for his accomplishments in athletics. Mr. Woolley was a great man and outstanding coach, says Kelly. He had the knack of getting his players to play hard whether practicing or playing. All the players loved and respected him. I kept in touch with him until his death in 1999, and had the honor of being asked by the family to read his favorite story at the funeral. Kelly said his success in the business world has enabled him to give back to the community a high percentage of my income to show my appreciation. Another success story, said Kelly, is being married to a pretty lady for 47 years. Kelly and his late wife, Lucille Maddox Kelly, had one daughter, Lisa Kelly Dumont of Westfield, N.J. Mrs. Dumont has two sons, Alex and Jack.