Obituary of Joel Trenton Kelly

Joel Trenton Kelly, affectionately known as Butchy, passed away suddenly on May 26, 2017.  He was born September 8, 1973, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the union of Henry, Sr. and Ora Mae Kelly.  

It was at the Church of God Pentecostal where he developed his love for singing and playing the guitar by watching his Uncle Jessie.  He would sing and play, with all his heart, telling everyone that would listen, “they need to put me in that choir”.  In 2012, he began fellowshipping with Visions of Victory Church under the leadership of Bishop Karl and Lady Demeta Wallace.

Butchy attended Kalamazoo Public Schools.  He loved karate, boxing, and weightlifting and spent many hours at the YMCA trying to build muscles and develop his own strength.  He loved food; especially his Mother’s turkey and dressing, chili and sweet potato pies! His family would often tease him because he would work odd jobs, not to earn money, but to buy hamburgers.  

Butchy worked various jobs as a dishwasher. While working at Olga’s Kitchen he would walk home at night, in the winter, from the Crossroads Mall, all because he was determined to keep his job. 

Butchy was preceded in death by his father, Henry Kelly, Sr; Grandparents; several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and two Nieces.  

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving mother, Ora Mae Kelly; five sisters, Diane Whitley, Teresa (Rick) Darden and Sandra Kelly all of Kalamazoo, MI, Patricia (Willie, Jr) Pannell of Racine, WI, and Tia Carter of Grand Rapids, MI; five brothers, Henry Kelly, Jr, Curtis (Brandy) Kelly all of Kalamazoo, MI, Gregory (Tiffany) Kelly of Grapevine, TX, Andre (Brandy) Kelly of Dallas, TX and David (Tracie) Kelly of Fort Worth, TX; godparents, James, Sr and Maggie Liggins; a host of Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Church Family and Friends.