Charles LeRoy Kelly, Jr.

Charles LeRoy Kelly, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 23, 2026. 

Born in Salt Lake City on Friday, August 13, 1937, Charlie was the eldest of three children born to Charles “Chic” LeRoy, Sr. and Dawna Vee Lazenby Kelly. In a rare and beautiful symmetry, Charlie entered the world on his father’s birthday, turning a date often associated with superstition (Friday the 13th) into the family's luckiest day. Proud of his Irish heritage, Charlie saw this shared birthdate as a lifelong lesson in connection, forever linking his first breath to his father’s legacy. 

Charlie grew up on Windsor Street in Salt Lake City in an era when the winter air was often thick with the scent of coal-burning stoves and homes still relied on iceboxes cooled by heavy blocks of ice. Growing up during and after WWII, Charlie’s life revolved around the neighborhood and the schoolyard. He attended Hamilton Elementary, where he met his lifelong best friend, Derral Sorensen. The two boys quickly became inseparable, growing up together through Roosevelt Junior High and East High School. Their childhood was shaped by the simple joys of the 1940s— long afternoons outdoors, neighborhood games, and a close-knit community that felt like an extended family. 

As a teenager at East High School, Charlie lettered in wrestling and sang in the Acapella Choir, embracing both the discipline of athletics and the camaraderie of school life. He enjoyed attending school dances, and when he wasn’t on the wrestling mat, he could often be found on the baseball diamond, where his love for the game began to take root with his best friend. 

Charlie and Derral’s partnership on the field became legendary among their friends. As teenagers, they secured sponsorship for their city league team from Redman Van and Storage and played side-by-side until they were seventeen. They later joined adult leagues, including a team sponsored by Federated Insurance where Charlie’s father, Chic, proudly coached them. 

At White Ball Park, Charlie became a familiar and respected figure, transitioning from player to coach and mentor. Later, he passed that love of the game to his own sons while coaching their Little League baseball teams. 

After graduating from East High School in 1955, Charlie married his high-school sweetheart, Carolyn May Lortsher in 1956, and together they had four children. 

Charlie answered the call to service by joining the Army Reserves, and he later attended Stevens-Henager Business College, gaining the skills that would help shape his professional future.

In 1956, Charlie began what would become a remarkable 42-year career with Union Pacific Railroad Employees Health Systems (UPREHS), now known as Iron Road Healthcare. Starting as a clerk, he steadily worked his way through the ranks with dedication and integrity. His leadership and commitment eventually led him to the position of President in 1978. Charlie took immense pride in serving the railroad community and protecting the health and well-being of the hardworking men and women who built the nation’s railways. When he retired in 1998, he left behind a legacy defined by loyalty, perseverance, and nearly half a century of service. 

Outside of work, Charlie was a lifelong sports enthusiast. He loved hunting, golfing, and following nearly every sport imaginable. Charlie especially loved playing golf, but his love for the game was never about the score; it was about the company. He especially cherished golfing with his family, making it a point to spend every Father’s Day on the course with his sons and daughter. Those holiday rounds were a highlight of his year, blending his competitive spirit with the deep pride he felt for his children. 

Charlie also loved the thrill of gambling. Whether he was purchasing a lottery ticket in Idaho, placing a bet on a Keno ticket or Keno machine in Nevada, or spending way too much money on raffle tickets and auction items, he loved the excitement of playing and winning. He always shared this "Irish luck" with his children, turning every trip to the family reunion raffle table, casino, or local fundraiser into an opportunity for laughter and memories. 

Charlie was easy to recognize around town by his signature suspenders, eyeglasses, and his well-groomed mustache and goatee. Beneath that distinctive look was a man whose greatest pride and joy was his family. 

He cherished his roots and the opportunity to connect with extended family at the Lazenby Family reunions in Provo, Bandana Ranch in Fruitland, and the Lortsher Cabin in Woodland. Those gatherings were filled with laughter, storytelling, and the reaffirmation of family ties that meant so much to him. 

His younger sisters, Patti and Peggy, meant the world to him. 

As father and grandfather, Charlie was a constant and enthusiastic supporter. He rarely missed a grandchild’s school activity, sporting event, or dance performance. He especially loved attending fundraising events, embracing every opportunity to celebrate his family and community. 

In retirement, Charlie’s most treasured role was being “Grandpa.” He became the dependable heartbeat of his grandchildren’s daily routines—picking them up from school, taking them to the park, and making the inevitable and beloved stop at McDonald’s. Those simple moments of care and consistency became some of the most meaningful chapters of his life. 

Charlie is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Peggy and brother-in-law Don Dell, brother-in-law Bill Jones, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

He leaves behind a large and loving family, including his wife Carolyn May Lortsher Kelly; his sister, Patricia Jones; his four children: Michael (Terri), David (Glynis), Jon (Lori), and Susie (Barry) Horne; his six grandchildren: Kristen, Whitney (Derrin), Emma, Dylan, Katie, and Finn; and his five great-grandchildren: Madison, Teagan, Tucker, Evelyn, and Otto. 

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the entire Bristol Hospice team, with special thanks to Natalie and Jennifer for their dedicated care. Above all else, the family is profoundly moved by the extraordinary, unwavering devotion of Charlie’s special caregivers— whose selfless compassion, kindness, and constant presence surrounded him and provided immeasurable comfort during his final journey. 

Charlie leaves behind a legacy as vibrant as the Irish spirit he proudly carried and as enduring as the family and friends he loved so deeply. He will be remembered not for the dates that marked the beginning and end of his life, but for the kindness, strength, and unwavering loyalty he shared with everyone in between. 

At Charlie’s request, he will be interred privately at a later date. Professional arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Memorial Mortuaries & Cemeteries and Larkin Sunset Gardens. 

And if Charlie could leave us with one simple reminder, it would be this: Hug someone you love.