CAPE BUSINESSMAN `NIP' KELLEY DIES

Well-known Cape Girardeau businessman Claude A. "Nip" Kelley III, who "rode out of Smelterville on a garbage truck," a friend proudly said, died Feb. 9, 1995, at St. Francis Medical Center. He was 58.

The founder of Kelley Transportation Inc. and Nip Kelley Trucking & Equipment Inc., Kelley was known as a tough-minded businessman who gave freely to people who needed help and was fiercely loyal to his wide variety of friends.

"He was probably the most generous person I've ever seen in my life," said Frank Adams, a close friend and vice president and general manager of Thorngate Ltd.

"Nip has helped a million people with money and with a job," Adams said. "Even when he didn't have a job he paid them and worked them around."

Kelley was born on Cape Girardeau's hard-scrabble south side and took his first job on the back of a city garbage truck. At 21 he became the youngest business agent in the history of the Teamsters Union, taking over the leadership of Local 574 in Cape Girardeau. He served in that capacity for five years.

He founded Kelley Transportation Inc. in 1959. The company operates the city's lone taxi service.

City Manager J. Ronald Fischer lauded Kelley for keeping the cost of the city's taxi coupon program low.

"I think Nip felt a responsibility to the community and the senior citizens who mostly use the program," Fischer said.

In 1970, Kelley started Nip Kelley Trucking & Equipment. His wife, Wanda, and sons, Vincent and Terrence, are active in the family businesses.

Kelley was an avid collector of antique cars, some of which are displayed at the transportation company.

He also was a former member of the Missouri National Guard.

He was known for his prowess as a fast-pitch softball pitcher who played on a number of championship teams.

"He threw real hard," said Jess Bolen, manager of the Capahas, who grew up in south Cape with Kelley.

But Bolen, who asked for Kelley's help often during the upgrade of the Capaha Park baseball diamond and was never refused, was most impressed with Kelley's characteristic loyalty.

"When he became successful in business, Nip never forgot his friends and people that needed help," he said.

Kelley was born Oct. 2, 1936, the son of Curtis and Velma Watson Kelley. He married Wanda Eaker in Grassy on July 4, 1959. Both she and his parents survive.

Also surviving are two sons, Vincent and Terrence Kelley, both of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Dwight "Skip" Kelley and Fred "Nook" Kelley of Cape Girardeau; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev.. Jack Cathcart officiating. Entombment will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel.