Jim Kelley

Jim Kelley was born on Gold Discovery Day, July 24, 1936, above the Senior Citizens Center. Jim’s upbringing was shaped by his father Leland, a building contractor, and his mother Dorothy, a homemaker alongside siblings Ralph, Mary, and Karen. Jim enjoyed a happy family and childhood with memories of summers and holidays where everyone got along.

Jim’s childhood was filled with special memories of playing kick the can and playing war games in the unpaved streets of Custer. The echoes of World War II lingered in his heart, fostering patriotic memories that became treasured moments. One of Jim’s favorite memories was when he heard that the war had ended.

Gold Discovery Days in Custer holds many happy memories for Jim. His involvement in the Pageant Hill Play transformed from playing the skunk in his youth to making grand entrances on horseback, riding his trusty horse named Boots.

When Jim was in eighth grade, he worked at the downtown ice cream shop. Strawberry ice cream still holds a special place in his heart. You could always find Jim with his friend Bobby at a basketball or football game. He enjoyed spending time at Pageant Hill, hiking, bicycling, and swimming at Legion Lake.

Jim’s high school years were full of athletic achievements in track and basketball. He was 5’ 6” was athletic and quick. He was the captain of the basketball team and made history as part of the first Custer Wildcat team to reach the state championships, securing an impressive fourth place in the class A tournament. The local newspaper dubbed him “Mighty Mite.”

Jim’s love for chemistry set him on the path to a lifelong career as a pharmacist. Jim graduated from Custer High School in 1954 and studied to become a pharmacist at South Dakota State University. Encouragement from friend and pharmacist Leonard Roudebush at Roudebush Drug in Custer played a pivotal role in shaping his professional journey.

Love blossomed with a girl named Patty, who would later become his wife. They married in 1957 at the Community Church in Custer. They were blessed with four children—Paul, Jamie, Debbie, and Kerry and their seven grandchildren–Nicole, Jason, Erik, Mattisen, Jace, Allie, and Reese.

Together they embarked on many vacations including trips out of the country and travels to all the states west of the Mississippi River. His favorite vacation was a motorhome trip through Alaska, a standout experience among Jim’s many adventures.

Together, Jim and Patty ran Kelley Drug for 33 years. Patty managed the front end of the drugstore and did the books. Jim was a pharmacist around the Black Hills for a total of 60 years.

Jim has a heart for charitable causes and wildlife conservation. He was a member of the Shriners, and was instrumental in starting Ducks Unlimited, The Elks Foundation, and the Jaycees in Custer. To this day, he remains active in the Masons, continuing his journey of community service.

Golf, hunting, and fishing are not mere pastimes for Jim but avenues for creating cherished memories with family and friends. If you ask Jim, he will tell you that family is the most important thing in his life. His ultimate accomplishment is the 63 years of wedded bliss with wife Patty and his most important job was being a father to his four children.

Advice he shared with us, “Stay healthy, love your parents, family, and friends, be kind and not bully others, and stay away from bad drugs.”

Thank you, Jim, for sharing your life with us!