James Clark Kelly, 65
February 17, 1961 – April 21, 2026
Salem — James “Jim” Clark Kelly, 65, of Salem, passed away unexpectedly at his home Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Jim was the son of the late Jerome W. Kelly and Clara Olink Kelly of Vashon, WA.
Jim worked for many years as a software engineer in the Salem area. He was a dedicated software engineer whose sharp mind, curiosity, and steady problem‑solving shaped every project he touched. He was a devoted reader whose love of books shaped his thinking, his work, and his way of seeing the world. Jim had a quick, unmistakable sense of humor, always finding something to laugh about in his daily life and in his travels around the states and the world.
James is survived by his son Benjamin Kelly of Sioux Falls, SD, and granddaughter Blake Kelly; his daughter Emma Kelly of PA; his sister Carolyn Holmy of CT; and his siblings Amanda Kelly and Matthew Kelly of Vashon, WA.
Our hearts are broken to not have Jim with us anymore, but we know he would smile and leave us with a line from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: “So long, and thanks for all the fish.”
In keeping with Jim’s wishes, his funeral services have been held privately.
Donations in his memory may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital through https://www.childrenshospital.org/donate or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation through https://themmrf.org/get-involved/donate-to-mmrf.
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