Christopher Lynn Kelley was born Dec. 19, 1961, to the late Dwight and Carolyn June Kelley. He passed away suddenly Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Chris married the love of his life, his soul mate Julie Marie "Jackson" Kelley, on Aug. 10, 2002.

Chris and Julie shared over 20 years together, raising and sharing four children. Chris was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, where he attended Trinity Lutheran School through eighth grade. He then attended and graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1980.

He spent several years with General X-Ray and 34 years with BIS Fru Con under the Craftsman Union. The last few years, he worked for Nip Kelley Equipment Co.

Chris' greatest joys in life were his children and his grandbabies. He never met a stranger, and to know him was to love him.

He is survived by his wife, Julie, of the home; son, Joshua Maine of the home; daughters, Christy (Andrew) Wilson and Breanna Maine (Tyler Holmes), both of Cape Girardeau, and Alexandra Kelley (Riley Simmons); brother, Sean Kelley of Harrisburg, Illinois; sister, Cindy Kelley of Cape Girardeau; and four grandbabies, Finnley Wilson, Vivienne Holmes, Jaxxon Maine and Logan Martin. Chris is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Chris was proceeded in death by his parents, Dwight and Carolyn June Kelley; grandparents, Everett and Rita Linebarger and Curtis and Velma Kelley; and brothers, Curtis "Skip" Kelley and Jeffrey Kelley. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law and longtime friend, Terry Jackson.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 2, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 3, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.