Leon F. “Buddy” Kelly Jr.
Columbiana

Leon F. “Buddy” Kelly Jr., age 64, of Columbiana passed away Monday, March 30, 2009, due to complications from a heart attack. Buddy was born in Birmingham on March 21, 1945. He was predeceased by his beloved father Leon F. Kelly Sr. Buddy attended Woodlawn High School, was a member of the Warblers and graduated in 1963. He attended the University of Alabama and received his business degree in 1967. Buddy later attended Cumberland School of Law and graduated in 1977 as number one in academic standing in his class. He married Cindy D. Kelly of Birmingham in June 1990.
Buddy was in private practice subsequent to his graduation from Cumberland, and in 1981 he joined the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. He served with distinction as First Assistant U.S. Attorney for 11 years, working closely with United States Attorney Frank W. Donaldson during that time.
Buddy retired from the Department of Justice in October 2004, after 24 years of serving as First Assistant and as a bankruptcy attorney for the Office of the U.S. Attorney. Buddy was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing for big bass, competitive sporting clay and pigeon shooting and spent his retirement years enjoying these pursuits. He served on the board of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, was a member of the Gulf Coast Conservation Association and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Buddy is survived by his wife, Cindy Kelly; children, Dr. Mollie Kelly Thomas, her husband Chris and beloved granddaughter, Madeline Thomas; Leon F. (Buddy) Kelly III and his wife Kristy, stepson, Andy Simmons of Baldwin County. He is also survived by his mother, Freida M. Kelly of Columbiana, and his sister, Susie K. Pearson and her husband Bill. He will be sadly missed by his Boykin Spaniel Missy and his Bichon Friese Little Bit.
Graveside Services were held at 2 p.m. on April 1, 2009, at Pinelawn Gardens in Columbiana. Visitation occured at Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Alabama Wildlife Federation or the American Heart Association.
The family expresses its appreciation to Dr. Tom Nolen of Columbiana, Dr. Tom Moody of Birmingham, Dr. James Barton of Birmingham, Dr. Billy Cornay of Birmingham and Dr. Ed Palmer of Montgomery for the outstanding care and friendship extended to Buddy over the years.
Bolton-Letlow Funeral Home directed.