Dennis Bernard Kelly Obituary, Topeka man has passed away

Dennis Bernard Kelly Obituary, Death – On July 4, 2023, Dennis Bernard Kelly, 69 years old and a resident of Topeka, passed away. He was the son of William T. Kelly and Davida F. (Jones) Thompson and was born on May 3, 1954 in the city of Lawrence in the state of Kansas.

Dennis received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas in 1976. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1972. He received his Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Emporia State University in 1991, having completed his studies there.
His affiliations included Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity in Education, and the Topeka Alliance of Black School Educators.

In 1976, he started his career as a teacher at Rice Elementary School, where he remained until the school closed. After that, he taught for a short time at Chase Middle School. After that, he became a teacher at the Highland Park South Elementary School, which would later become the Ross Elementary School. He would continue there until the year 2016, when he would finally retire. In 1989, he was honored with the Teachers Make a Difference Award for his contributions to the field. He won the Who’s Who Among National Teachers award in the year 2000, and in 2019, the Teacher of Influence award from the Kansas Governor’s Scholar Program was bestowed upon him.

Survivors include four siblings, Steven Kelly, David Kelly, Kim (Joe) Johnson, and Thomas (Myisha) Thompson; five nephews, Sean Kelly, Steve Kelly, Carlos Kelly, Greg Rhodes, and Michael Johnson; six nieces, Pamela Kelly, Kristi Kelly, Tiffany Henderson, Brandi Kelly, Alicea Thompson, Imani Thompson, and Riley Thompson; special aunt, Laleta Jones; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family.

He was predeceased by his parents, step-father Thomas J. Thompson, Sr., sister Davida J. Kelly, and uncle David Jones. His parents and step-father all passed away before him.
Dennis was the de facto family historian in addition to being a devoted supporter of the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs. He cherished the time he got to spend with his family, particularly with his nieces and nephews.

Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, located at 10th and Lane in Topeka, will be hosting a visitation on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm. On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at 11 am, funeral services will be held at Love Fellowship, which is located at 2636 SE Minnesota Ave in Topeka. After the service, interment will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery.

Donations in his memory can be sent to the Topeka Alliance of Black School Educators, which is located at 4412 SW 34th St, Topeka, Kansas 66614.