James Kelly III

If you ever met James Elsworth Kelly III, born October 30, 1984, in Cincinnati, Ohio, you probably laughed within the first five minutes — whether you intended to or not. James had a way of lighting up a room and disarming even the toughest of people with his signature grin, a well-timed joke, or a playful comment that made you forget whatever you were mad about. James gave his life to Christ at a young age as a member of New Friendship Baptist Church. On November 1, 2025, James traded this world for a better one, passing peacefully at the Mt. Washington Care Center in Anderson Township. And while we are deeply hurting, we take comfort knowing Heaven just gained its newest comedian, engineer, carpenter, anime fanatic, and body-butter salesman extraordinaire. James has gained his heavenly wings, and the ability to walk, skip, hop, and jump again.

James was silly in the best way possible — the kind of silly that kept family gatherings from being boring and turned strangers into friends. He loved people, and more importantly, he believed in people. He was always willing to give, help, encourage, uplift, or just sit and listen. James saw the best in others even when they struggled to see it in themselves.
He also carried an entrepreneurial spirit — for years he crafted and sold body butter that left folks moisturized, glowing, and smelling good enough to hug twice. And if you let him explain how he made it, well, you were in for a TED Talk.

James was a proud graduate of Walnut Hills High School, Class of 2003. He went on to study Architecture and Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. James could fix or build anything, including your attitude if needed. Eventually, he followed his heart to Job Corps, where he earned a Carpentry Certificate and truly found his hands-on passion. If something was broken, James would fix it. If something didn’t exist, James would build it. If something shouldn’t be fixed or built… well, James probably tried anyway. And it probably worked.

In 2008, James decided to take the firefighter and police officer exam. He passed both of the exams and decided to become a firefighter. A few weeks after finding out he had passed the tests, he was hit by a truck and became paralyzed. Most people would have been defeated by this tragedy, but not James. After his accident, James was still the silly jokester and thoughtful guy he’d always been. He would often make wheelchair jokes and randomly say, “Oh, I can’t feel my legs.”

Above all, James was a family man. He was a loving father to his daughters, Naomi Kelly and Olivia Kelly, and a devoted partner to his girlfriend. He was a beloved son to his mother, Gail Peeples-Nelms, and his father, James Kelly Sr. (Jacqueline Summerow-Kelly). He leaves behind siblings Dante Murray (Kristin Kelly-Murray), Shybria Pleasant (Ricky Pleasant), Brittney Wooten (Antonio Wooten), and Jamie Summerow. Through marriage, he also gained step-brothers Tony Watson, Jordan Watson, and Julian Watson (Shanice Watson).

James will be dearly loved and missed by his nieces and nephew — Ian Wooten, Leah Wooten, Ziya Pleasant, and Zion Pleasant — along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family who were not “extended” to him at all. Every last one of them was loved fully and loudly, but special mention goes to Aunt Leetria Peeples, Uncle Earl Peeples, cousins LaNaye, LaDonis, LaRenzo, Kaylan, Earl Jr., Topaz, and one of his favorite little cousins, Rahkeem Washington. He also leaves behind his best friend Ernest P. Heyward III.

We will miss his voice. His hugs. His laugh that made other people laugh. The goofy comments. The kind heart. The loyal spirit.

James didn’t just leave memories — he left joy. And that is the kind of legacy we should all hope to leave behind.

We love you, James. And we know you’re up there smiling, cracking jokes, and making Heaven just a little more fun.

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