Obituary of Leland H. Kelly

none Leland H. Kelly was born to Howard and Lucille Kelly on March 22, 1945, in Walla Walla, Washington. He competed in his last go-round on September 10, 2005. Leland was the second oldest of four children. Leland lived his entire life in the Walla Walla and Pendleton area. He attended grade school in Prescott and College Place and graduated from Walla Walla High School. For many years, Leland farmed the family ranch near Whitman Mission. He was also a field man for Walla Walla Rogers Cannery. He later returned to school, became an irrigation specialist, and has spent the last ten years in the employ of WildHorse Casino designing and maintaining water features and irrigation. Leland married Katie Norton of Madras, Oregon. From this union a daughter, Angie, was born. Leland and Katy later divorced. Leland has another daughter, Teddy Coet. Thorough out his entire life Leland was involved with the sport of rodeo. From an early age, Leland competed in rodeos. From junior rodeos to the Pendleton Round-up Leland competed in and won many buckles, saddles, and trophies. Leland felt that even though he won the bulldogging title at the Pendleton Round-up his winning the bulldogging at the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days was his greatest win because of how difficult it is to win your hometown rodeo. Many people still remember the thrilling rides that Leland used to put on during the pony express races at the fair riding for the Walla Walla Wagon Wheelers. Many of the trophies displayed by the Wagon Wheelers were won by Leland’s riding ability. These people hold special meaning to Leland and are deserving of special thanks: Bill Fouts, David Franklin, Francis Hobson, Steve Jessee, Les Kamm, Dick Kelly, G.L. Longgood, Ivan Meads, Ronnie Miller, Jake and Glenda Nash, Sharon Piccard, Karen Ricker, Penny Shamoon, Katie Southwick, Bob Stevens, Ival Sutherland, Monte Thomas, Jack White, and many other friends to numerous to mention. About the biggest thank you of all goes to Frosty, the good bulldogging horse that Leland started on and rode for many wins. About the only traveling Leland did was to rodeos and almost every year he made it to Las Vegas to watch the National Finals Rodeo. There are too many rodeo stories to mention. Much about Leland can be summed up in the following two poems written by Jake P. Nash of Pendleton, Oregon, who became Leland’s best friend. Here’s to Leland Kelly, he is a hand. You know he has Rodeoed all over the land. He bulldogs for tourists and cowboys too. He Rodeoed when it rained, snowed and the skies were blue. Bulldogging was his main event. But being in the arena with his friends was time well spent. Now he has cowboyed since he was a lad. Thinking his rodeoing is over makes him sad. Teach that Grandson to rope and ride. He will always be by your side. To Leland Kelly who’s my friend, always will be, clear to the end. This poem is for my good friend Leland Kelly Who has a problem low in his belly Now I talked to Jesus last night And he told me to tell Leland he’ll be all right. To those who don’t know Leland, this won’t make sense But up in heaven they don’t build barbed wire fence. And cowboys they have a lot So you’ll have to stay here whether you want to or not Jesus said to tell you he ‘d need you in time Maybe thirty years or so, but anyway you got a long time to go So get off the sick list and don’t be late We want you back at good old Aerie #28. Preceding Leland in death was his father, Howard and younger brother, Dean. His mother, Lucille, older brother Raymond, sister-in-law Corki Kelly, younger sister Muriel Duncan, and brother-in-law Billy Duncan survive him. Also surviving him are daughters Angie Hagen and Teddy Coet, son-in-law, Sean Hagen, grandsons, Emmett and Garrett Hagen and granddaughter, Hailee Coet. Leland has numerous nieces and nephews. Please make any donations to the Make A Wish Foundation. After cremation, there will be a remembrance followed by a celebration of Leland’s life and Pot Luck at the Pendleton Eagles Aerie #28 on October 1, 2005, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Leland you will be missed!