John Larry Kelley

John Larry Kelley, age 79, of Waterloo, Nebraska passed away June 21, 2019. He was born on May 4, 1940 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to the late Lulu Evelyn and John Thomas Kelley.

After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1958, Larry married Sharon Diwoky and went into the service station business (Texaco) in Council Bluffs, while playing the drums 6 nights a week in The Berry Brothers Band, earning the nickname, “Beater.” In 1969, Larry was awarded the large Standard (now Amoco) Oil full-service station at 102nd and Maple Street in the late 1960’s, opening to financial struggles while Maple was being widened and Interstate 680 was being built. Upon completion of those construction projects, Larry’s Standard became one of the biggest volume stations in the region. Larry and Sharon purchased Omaha’s legendary Sunset Speedway in 1976, and was involved with this Kelley family business that was one of the nation’s most successful weekly stock car racing track in the nation until 1990. In 1984, Larry built and operated Kelso’s Lounge in northwest Omaha until its sale in 1994 and his early retirement. Racing was Larry’s biggest passion, and he moved from involvement in successful drag racing teams to owning very successful stock car racing teams that won many track championships and national level special events with many of the region’s top drivers in his cars, also dominating in the go-kart racing world with his youngest son, Michael, at the wheel, winning many track championships and 5 grand national championship “Duffies.”

Larry is survived by sister, Jeanine (David); sons, Craig (Kerry) and Michael (Leesa) Kelley; grandchildren Christopher, Brendan and Caitlin; niece, Danine (Marty) Hartley; great nieces and nephews and many friends accumulated during his business ownerships and long-time involvement in racing.

Visitation on Saturday from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment at a later date in the Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Memorials can be made in Larry's honor to Jeff Gordon's Cancer Foundation that fights pediatric cancer.