Jon passed away at his home in Nampa, Idaho on March 26, 2023 after compounding illness. He was 73 years old. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He leaves behind wife Margaret (Maggie) who were together 48 years. Jon also leaves behind daughter Jill McFarland, son-in-law Mike and grandsons Jacob (15) and Miles (13). Jon was born in Alameda, CA to Don and Jackie Kelly on November 21 st , 1949 and spent his younger years there as well as in San Leandro, CA . After high school, Jon became a soldier in the US Army, where he was stationed in South Korea. Jon had always had an interest and knack for great photography, and while in Korea he took many pictures of scenery, fellow soldiers as well as Korean children. Upon returning home, he started his career in the commercial printing business and moved to Livermore, CA. Due to his work ethic and attention to detail, Jon excelled in the commercial printing business and at the peak of his career, he supervised a large printing department of which all pressmen reported to him. On New Year’s Eve 1974 Jon met Maggie and they had been together ever since. After marrying, they purchased a home in Livermore in 1975. In 1981 they welcomed their baby Jill Nicole whom they cherished and had been proud of ever since. In 2010, Jon retired, and they moved to Idaho in order to be near Jill and her family.
Jon had many interests of which his first was watching car and motorcycle racing. Specifically, his interest in car racing ranged from childhood Go-Karts and all types, including all the way up to Formula One racing on the world stage. Jon, his family and friends attended many races over the years and since he was such a good “girl dad”, sometimes just he and Jill would go to races. Jon had a photography business called TurnOne Photography which allowed him to obtain press passes to races in order to take pictures. He was also published in a national car magazine. Jon also liked watching football, baseball and in later years became very interested in watching Jacob and Miles golf in tournaments. While living in Livermore, Jon and his wife Maggie had many adventures with friends, and they laughed a lot. Jon was also uniquely humorous which was what attracted his wife to him when they first met.
In the later years of his life, Jon enjoyed watching Battle Bots with his grandsons. He also liked woodworking and building with them when they were little. Jon then kept on building birdhouses and planter boxes until he became too ill to continue.
Jon, Dad, PaJon: we love and miss you very much.