Long time Gilroy High School Coach Avis W. Kelley moved up to the major league team of our savior Jesus Christ on December 21 ^st . He left surrounded by his team; son Kalvin, daughters Michon and Namra, and son-in-law, Ken.

Avis was born January 12 ^th , 1934 into a farming family in Bethel, New Mexico, amidst the hard times of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl.  He was born the youngest of six to Austin Kelley and Ella Woodring, both from western Oklahoma. Avis is survived by his elder brother Rueben (age 91), his three children and spouses, four grandkids, and other extended families.

Soon after his birth, the family moved to a new farm near Portales; "Adobe Ridge." as he called it.  Avis had lots of stories from this time. His family moved from the farm to nearby Clovis where his dad worked with the railroad.  Avis excelled at high school sports and received a full-ride scholarship as a starting offensive lineman in college. His love for competition, development of life skills, and teamwork never left him and he wanted to share this passion through a lifetime of teaching and coaching. In the early days, coaches were unpaid, and he did it solely for the passion.

Avis earned his bachelor's and master's degree in Physical Education at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in nearby Portales, NM, where he met the love of his life, Janetta George, while playing intermural ping pong. She, too, was a PE major and they were married in 1958.  They had 44 good years together. They complimented each other like Yen and Yang make a whole.

He began his teaching and coaching career shortly after graduating from college in 1958 and took a job in Hanford, CA. A year later, they moved to Grants, NM, to take a teaching and head football coaching position.  Soon, they welcomed the start of "Team Kelley" with arrival of their son, followed shortly by their two daughters.

In 1964, the family moved to Gilroy where Avis took the position of biology teacher and head football coach. Head football coach from 1965 to 1969, he also became head track coach (1965) at Gilroy High School and remained there until retirement in 1992.

Avis and Janetta both built a great track and field program, working together for the Jr. and Sr. high schools. They built the Gilroy Invitational Track Meet, later named "The Avis Kelley Invitational," which has lasted almost 50 years.  At its peak, this meet hosted over 100 teams and over 1000 participants.  It was quite the sight to behold. During his coaching tenure, Avis coached five State finalists, won over 100 Regional team championships, and was twice voted "Coach of the Year" for the Central Coast Section.

Avis was a loyal and supportive father with a superior "dad jokes" collection. Many times, he sacrificed so that his family could enjoy their own pursuits. He valued commitment and encouraged it in his children and grandchildren. He and Jan even opened their doors to house several teens without homes over the years. All who know Avis have seen the soft heart behind his rough exterior.

The Kelley family enjoyed horses and traveling, creating many wonderful memories of both.  Avis and Jan traveled across our country numerous times and to Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.

For decades, you could find Avis sitting with his friends at "his table" just past the front door of OD's restaurant greeting students from decades past and reminiscing great sports moments.

We will miss hanging out with our dad and the greetings he received from the community, "Coach!!". We can only imagine he received the same greeting when he passed through those Pearly Gates.

Please join us for Avis's Celebration of Life at the Gilroy Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 14th at 3:30 pm followed by a reception.

If desired, donations can be made  to the "Avis and Jan Kelley Scholarship Fund",  administered by Gilroy Foundation, P. O. Box 774, Gilroy, CA 95021 , or online at gilroyfoundation.org/donate-now . These funds will provide scholarships to well-deserving GHS student athletes.