Cary Kelly, 84

Cary was born Jan. 12, 1942, in Oak Park, Ill., to John and Amy Kelly, and grew up in the Midwest until attending high school at the Choate School, in Wallingford, Conn.

Choate was instrumental in Cary’s formative years, and it’s where Cary first showed his characteristic leadership qualities, as he was captain of the football team and president of his senior class, as well as the recipient of the School Seal Prize, the highest award that can be given to a Choate student.

Cary then attended Stanford University, where he was part of the PLC (Platoon Leaders Class) program in the United States Marine Corps. Mona, the blonde Swedish bombshell he met during summer break, finally gave in to Cary’s pleas and they were married Sept. 7, 1963, and Mona accompanied Cary back to The Farm for his senior year at Stanford. Cary graduated in 1964.

Following Stanford, the couple moved to Stockholm, Sweden, where Cary went to graduate school at the University of Stockholm. After graduate school in 1965, Cary was activated into the United States Marine Corps and deployed to the Republic of South Vietnam as an infantry officer where he was involved in combat operations for 14 months. After that tour, Cary was assigned to Naval Flight School, and after completion, was sent back to Asia as an F-4 Phantom pilot. He later transitioned to large transport aircraft (KC-130) which he flew for the next 25 years. Cary’s last tours of duty included commanding officer of the Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, Ill. and working at Marine Corps Headquarter in Washington, D.C. Cary retired from active duty as a colonel in 1993 after 33 years in the military (five years in the reserves and 28 years of active duty).

After careful consideration, Cary and Mona decided upon Sandpoint as a perfect place to retire. Cary fell in love with Lake Pend Oreille and worked for the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office for the next 18 years. For the last 12 years, Cary was the supervisor (Lt.) of the Marine Division, joking that he went from colonel to lieutenant, before resigning to run for Bonner County Commissioner. Cary served as County Commissioner (chairman) for four years and then was elected as a trustee for Lake Pend Oreille School District for four and a half years. In addition, Cary was on the local animal shelter board (Better Together Animal Alliance) for six years and was an active Rotarian. Counting the military as public service, Cary was proudly involved in public service for over 60 years, his entire adult life. Cary and Mona have been profoundly happy in Sandpoint, and recruited both children to Sandpoint, where they raised Cary’s grandchildren.

While Cary deeply loved his alma maters and his country, his greatest love was his family. He is survived by his wife, Mona; and his children, Kim (Duke) Diercks from Denver, Colo., and Chris Kelly of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; and his grandchildren, Austin Diercks, Jackson Diercks, Sam Diercks, Chantal Kelly and Francesco Kelly. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Janet Kelly Cady; half-sister, Carol Kelly Golonsky; and half-brother, Paul Kelly.

Cary died on July 13, 2026, after a short bout with a very aggressive form of cancer. Fittingly, he died in his Stanford sweatshirt, surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m., on Sept. 4, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Church in Sandpoint, Idaho, with Father Rob Cook officiating. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Better Together Animal Alliance (the Ponderay Animal Shelter).

Family and friends are invited to sign Cary’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.