James Michael Kelley AKA "Jazznik" passed away August 2, 2024, at ACH rehabilitation Hospital in Dyersburg, TN. Mike was the second child of James & Onita Kelley, his sister, Patricia Jayne Hunter was the 1st born, Mike was the 2nd, & David Warren Kelley was the 3rd child. Jayne passed away on February 16, 2022. Mike was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2024.

Mike was an ardent supporter of Memphis jazz & jazz musicians…. (& R&B). He left 1000's of pictures of the Memphis Jazz scene (he was a professional photographer).

Mike will be enshrined in the West Tennessee Veterans cemetery. We are waiting on confirmation from the Veterans cemetery on when we can have the "interment ceremony". We plan to have a short Military ceremony @ the Gazebo at the West TN Veteran's Cemetery (the Forest Hill Irene cemetery location). The date will be announced when known. Mike was a decorated Vietnam Navy veteran with nine battle medals. He will be interred with full military honors.

We plan to have a "Celebration of Life" ceremony... the ceremony is set for Friday, August 23, 2024 @ Neil's Music Room from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. I will have finger food available from Neil's kitchen. Anyone who wished to remember Mike with a "Mike story" is welcome to speak.

A "Celebration of Life" video will be shown.

After the diagnoses of cancer, Mike sold his home in Lakeland, TN and moved to Dyersburg, TN, to be close to Gay Nash… his partner since 2019, she took care of him until it was time to move to assisted living.