NORMAN — Joel “Kelly” Crumpley died Jan. 14, 2013, at his home in Dover, Del. Kelly was born March 19, 1951, in Wichita, Kan., to Bobby Kelly Crumpley and Gwen McCann Crumpley.
He grew up in Norman and graduated from Norman High School in 1969. Kelly graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in political science and a JD in law. While at OU, he played on the varsity tennis team.
He practiced law in Oklahoma for several years and then followed the love of his life, his wife, Jan, to Boston. Kelly and Jan eventually settled in Dover, Del., where Kelly served as a planner with the Kent County government. He was known as a planner with heart and vision.
He also served as vice chair of the Diamond State Community Land Trust, promoting affordable home ownership opportunities. Kelly’s other passion in life was music, and he was an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. Equally at home with many styles of music, including acoustic blues and Celtic music, Kelly was a sought-after guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bodhran, flute and whistle player and had served as a side man for many recordings and performances.
He was a longtime volunteer and member of the Delaware Friends of Folk and was serving as president of the organization at the time of his death.
Kelly was preceded in death by his father, B.K. Crumpley.
He is survived by his mother, Gwen of Norman; his wife, Jan of Dover, Del.; a stepson, Chris Clare of Norman; and brothers Mark and his wife Jayne of Norman, Rob and his wife Ruanne of Broomfield, Colo., and Pat of Norman.
Kelly’s family suggests donations in his memory be made to the Diamond State Land and Trust, c/o NCALL, 363 Saulsbury Road, Dover, DE 19904; or to Delaware Friends of Folk, 1040 S. State St., Dover, DE 19901.
Condolences may be made via www.ambruso.
com.
Norman Transcript, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013
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