Ralph Vernon O'Kelly passed away at Holdenville General Hospital on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at the age of 77 years.

Vernon was the son of Ralph Leo O'Kelly & Maud Electra (Day) O'Kelly, born on May 2, 1935 in Calvin, Oklahoma, where he lived until the family moved to California when Vernon was in the first grade. He was brought up and attended school in Pixley, California, and lived there for more than forty years. He was married to Bobbie Cox and they were the parents of two children, Ronald and Sharon.

Vernon moved to Holdenville in 1984. He was married in Holdenville in January of 1984, to Marilyn McDonald. He owned and operated various businesses, including Holdenville's first video rental store, Holdenville Movie Rental. Other business ventures included hay transport, farm implement manufacturing, and auto salvage. He loved to weld, build things, fix cars, and fish. He was much loved, and will be sorely missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph & Maud O'Kelly; two sons, Ronald O'Kelly and Steve Holt; one sister, Sally Wallace; the mother of his children, Bobbie O'Kelly.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of the home; five Children: Sharon Jumper and husband Gary, of Holdenville, Eddie Holt and wife Tracy, of Denton, Texas, Geraldine Jones and husband Randy, of Borger, Texas, Joel Holt and wife Jenni, of Kansas City, Missouri, Melva Hale and husband Sid, of Dardanelle, Arkansas; 18 grandchildren: Cathryn Phelps and husband Scott, of Durant, Oklahoma, Cheyenne Harmon and companion Anthony Reschke, of Holdenville, Denise Benson of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Josh O'Kelly of Arizona, Ronald V. O'Kelly II of California, Travis O'Kelly and wife Stephanie, of Oklahoma City, Felicia Holt, Taylor Holt, Gunner Holt, Nevaeh Holt, and Shooter Holt, all of Denton, Texas, Christine Diaz and husband David of Borger, Texas , Ethan Bridges, also of Borger, Texas, Kaylee Durham and husband Charles of Kansas City, Missouri, Chloe Holt and companion Zach Johnson, also of Kansas City, Tara Russell and husband Gerald, Ryan Hale and wife Ninfa, and Krystopher Hale and wife Jessica, all of Dardanelle, Arkansas; 19 Great Grandchildren: Julie, Martha, Gavin, Bryce, Caleb, Aiden, Penelope, Angela, Emma, Eli, Jaylinn, Temerity, E. J., Tyler, Parker, Sydni, Jerald, Brandon; one sister: Norma Jean Griffin of Santa Rosa, California; three Brothers and Sisters-in-Law: Kenneth & Brenda O'Kelly and Jerry & Thelma O'Kelly, all of Holdenville, Gail & Delores O'Kelly of Tracy, California; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013, and Vernon will be laid to rest in the Holdenville Cemetery. Rev. Dane Robinson is the officiating minister. Pallbearers are Scott Phelps, Anthony Reschke, Westley Rowe, Travis O'Kelly, Jim Gustin, Val Harmon, and Justin O'Kelly.