E. Van "Snook" Kelly
November 4, 1951 - February 3, 2013
Obituary
E. Van Kelly (“Snook”) was born November 4th, 1951 to Joe Nathan Kelly & Emilie Kelly in Natchez, Mississippi. He moved to Port Arthur, Texas when he was 4 years old, and graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1970. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas in 1975 and his Master’s Degree from City University in Bellevue, Washington.
Upon graduating, he taught high school Spanish in Port Arthur, Texas, and after one year, he entered the U. S. Air Force in 1978 for four years. When he left the Air Force in 1982, he moved to Los Angeles, California and taught High School Spanish and Art in Compton, California. He moved to Seattle, Washington in 1989 where he taught Social Studies and Spanish at South Shore MS, Garfield HS, and finally at Denny MS.
With an energetic and vibrant spirit, Van (“Snook”) approached each day with a love of learning and a passion for helping others. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Emilie Kelly of Port Arthur, Texas; sisters Jo Lute-Ervin (R. Douglas) of Seattle, Washington, Barbara Langlanis of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Nephews, Brian Ervin (Noni) of Renton, Washington, Brice Ervin of Bellingham, Washington; Niece, Teneca Clark (William) of Dodge City, Kansas, Trivette Langlanis of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Great nephews, Beau and Blake Ervin of Renton, Washington, William Clark III of Dodge City, Kansas; Great niece, Dayja Clark of Dodge City, Kansas; Aunts, Annie Mae Hargro of Lorman, Mississippi, Hester Thomas (Dave) of Orange, Texas, Sarah January of Port Arthur, Texas, Eva Dowdell (Raymond) of Walnut, California, Anita January of Fayette, Mississippi; Uncles, Joseph January of Port Arthur, Texas, Thomas January (Hazel) of Port Arthur, Texas; and numerous cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joe N. Kelly of Port Arthur, Texas; four grandparents; five uncles; and five aunts.
He lost his battle with liver cancer after a year and a half.
I will never forget Van — his intelligence, his wit and all the support he gave me during my initial years at Garfield when things could get really crazy there. He will be greatly missed.
I worked with Van at Garfield High School, but didn’t really get to know him until we were temporarily located at Lincoln High School in Wallingford (during Garfield’s reconstruction). For those two years, I spent many of my lunch breaks eating with him in the break room, and enjoying meaningful and deep conversations about a wide variety of subjects. I really appreciated his intelligence and knowledge about so many different things, including martial arts, where we shared a mutual interest. I’m very sorry to hear of his passing.
To my dear friend and buddy Van Kelly. it was a honer to know you for 15yrs. you were a great man in many ways and the students you Influence will always remember you. I will forever have you in my Prayers daily. we will meet again in our ETERNAL JOURNEY OF LIFE.
I just saw of Van’s passing in The Facts, Wanted to come, but it will likely be over by the time I get there. Van was my son Roberto’s Spanish teacher at Garfield HS in the late-1990s. He then became a friend of mine. He was not only an excellent teacher, he truly cared for his students, and in many conversations with him, he was one of the most brilliant and knowledgable people I knew. Anytime there was a meeting in the community for Black men to gather to help at-risk youth, Van was there. He touched more lives than any of us will ever know in a truly meaningful way. Roberto said he didn’t just teach Spanish, he also taught “life” to his students. He’ll be deeply missed. My prayers to his family. He was a great, unsung hero in our community.
Van you were always nice to me when you were married to my aunt thresa you were my uncle, may you rest in peace in heaven with my auntie
Van was my first cousin. He was a person who could speak many different languages and had lots of talent. He would come to Orange to play tennis with some of the principals at the school I use to attend, stop by our house and sit on my our kitchen floor and beat me and my sisters at jacks and pick up sticks. We would sit and wait for a turn but, it never came because that’s just how good he was. We could never beat him. He was very quick and fast with his hands. You name it ping pong tennis or whatever you played him in he won. I will always remember the fun times and the laughs we shared. He was a fun-loving, educated, and serious person. I know he is in heaven continuing what he started. To the family we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Son,
Mama loves you and I’m proud of you. You fought a good fight and you kept the faith; you have finished your course.
I couldn’t be present with you, but I called you two and three times a day. We prayed together mornings–every morning before you went to school. We would contact one another and we would have prayer. Then, every night before you went to bed, I would always call and I would give that prayer. And if love and prayer could have kept you here, you had plenty of that, ‘cause you know I really do love you and my prayer were out of concern for you.
Thank you, Baby, for being so strong. When you left, you didn’t go alone, because part of me went with you. I love you, but God loves you best, and now He has given you rest. Remember that I love you and I always will, because you are my baby. Rest in peace, son, until we meet again on the other side.
We prayed for God to heal you because we weren’t ready yet
But we realized He loved you too and had decided it was time for your sun to set
We know you did not suffer long because God had you in His arms
And even though we will cry we know this is not goodbye
Just see you later until we meet again in Heavens sky
In loving memory to a Brother and Uncle
Van,
We had a lot of fun when you lived in Texas. You’d come to my house and we would laugh and play—even play with the kids. I remember when you used to let me drive your car on the back streets and we would laugh? We laughed a lot when you taught me how to drive. When you left, you didn’t go alone, because part of me went with you. I love you and I’m going to miss you. We all love you, but God loves you best. Lead on until we meet again.
Van,
You never said “I’m leaving.” You never said, “Good-bye.” You were gone before we knew it, and only God knows why. A million times we needed you. A million times we cried. If love could have kept you here, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly. In death, we love you still. In our hearts you hold a special place, no-one could ever feel. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. A part of us went with you the day God called you home. Sunday’s were the California/Vegas/Ohio times to have family group talk on the phone. We will all miss you since you’ve now gone home.
My Dear Snook,
You have always been so precious to me. You were my Google. If there was anything I wanted to know, I’d call you, as you knew it all. What will I do, now that my “smart phone” is broken? You were my scholar, my translator, my confidant, my friend.
I’ve been fighting battles for you since we were little. If this had been a battle I could have fought I certainly would have, but this was one battle that I was powerless to fight for you. All I could do was love you, support you, stand by you, and smuggle gumbo, collard greens and corn bread into the hospital for you. You were so brave and strong and full of grace.
I miss you already. I miss our talks and our times together. I miss hearing your voice, and your laughter…no more late night conversations. I’ll miss those phone calls saying, “Hey Sis, Let’s go out to dinner.” I’ll miss your jokes. I’ll always remember your last joke to me, on the Friday before you took God’s hand. The nurse took your temperature and said that it was 104.8 degrees and commented, “He’s so hot.” It took a while for your temp to start to decline. Once you were feeling somewhat better later that evening you said jokingly, “Hey Jo! The nurse said I was hot!” We had our last chuckle together as I said, “Yea, your temperature.” I’ll always remember that last chuckle and smile.
You were so brave, and an inspiration to us all. You never complained, never displayed sadness or said, “Why me?” You inspired me, my children, my grandchildren, and many family and friends. We were all with you–loving you, praying for you, hoping you would stay with us a while longer, but we knew that we had to let you go. Now, there are no more battles for you to fight. Your fight is over. Rest in sweet peace, my brother.
Uncle Snook,
We simply adore you and we will miss your peaceful presence. We will cherish our fun memories of you, and the many times you blessed us with your unmatched comedic brilliance. You poured part of yourself into your nephews and even your great nephews. I have watched them love you–Boy, oh, boy do they love their “Uncle Snook.”
More than anything, I will miss talking with you and learning from you–hoping some of your genius would rub off. I always felt like my IQ jumped up just by being in the room with you. You were an amazing human being–as amazing as they come. We were always with you and you were never alone. We love you, Uncle Snook, and we will carry you in our hearts, ALWAYS.
Some called him Van. Others knew him simply as Kelly. I knew him as “Uncle Snook”, an extremely intelligent, quirky, and genuine man. The thought of never seeing his smiling face, unique swagger, and unyielding optimism in this life is unfathomable, but it is a truth that I must now embrace.
There are so many experiences I never got to share with him, so many questions I did not get to ask him, many stories about his life and his experiences I will never get to hear. At the same time, I have so many memories of him contributing to my formative years sharing his unique brand of wisdom and humor, teaching me by example not to “sweat the small stuff” and how positivity can overcome any of the curveballs life will throw at you. That aspect of his personality contributed monumentally to why he was able to fight for as long as he did despite the dire prognosis regarding his fate.
We all love him and will continue to love him until we meet again. I miss you, Uncle Snook. Goodbye.
…CONTINUED….
When you first moved to Seattle in the 80’s, I remember talking with you about Martial Arts, and during your first demonstration on me, I didn’t know if I’d survive the instructional beating. (LOL) I did survive, only slightly injured and quickly learned to let you know when my young bones had reached their limit. As the years progressed, you coached me into the best table tennis player in my middle school. I brought home the 1st Place trophy, after beating all the students and staff at McClure Middle School. You motivated me to learn French, and for a short while I was fluent, and on any given night would dream in French. I remember during one of our trips to the movie theater when I was in high school, you made a comment in the parking lot that was so funny that I actually collapsed onto the dirty parking lot, and stayed on the ground overcome with laughter for way too long, especially for a young man trying to look stylish in his good cloths. (LOL) Eventually, I went off to college with all the abilities above (and more), plus the ability to draw and create works of impressive art, often so impressive others would not believe until they sat and watched me work–all thanks to you.
Until February 3rd, 2013, I fully expected you’d be around to be the “Awe Inspiring Uncle Snook” to my kids, the way you always were to me. Days earlier, you’d accepted an invitation to work with my oldest son in Table Tennis.
Thank you, and it is with great honor, that I continue to share the many gifts you gave to me. You will be forever missed, and always remembered.
Love always, Brian
Uncle Snook,
This is hard to write. I have so many thoughts and emotions rolling around in my head about why you’re not here to continue blessing us with knowledge, laughter & love, and what that means for the future. I guess in the end, I can’t give much value or power to the fact that you’re no longer with us physically, because like we say in basketball, you left “…it all on the court.”, and a lasting part of you remains with all your friends and family.
Those of us who remain in this physical game called life, remain here rich because of how you walked while on earth. Every time you engaged with family or friends, you left a seed of something usefully. I remember our interactions dating back to my childhood, where you would challenge me to grasp some knowledge you had to offer. On any given day you’d offer a new word or phrase in a foreign language, an interesting historical lesson or the logical driving force behind learning a new skill. Each of those moments were consistently flanked on all sides by laughter and joy, which made the lessons lasting….
In Tribute to a Quiet Warrior
He was formed by the social conditions of his time.
A time when justice was fleeting…and still is fleeting.
He learned the social contracts for Black people of his time.
Despite the condition, he forged himself with the support of his family
Into a mind and character of truly limitless proportion.
He gave his students a glimpse of his wisdom and knowledge.
He gave his family and friends full measure.
Peace be with you.
Mr. Kelly taught for two years at Koinonia Learning Academy, and is remembered as an inspirational and knowledgeable instructor. He shared in-depth knowledge with students that encouraged them to know and love themselves and their Creator.
Dear Dr.Van Kelly,
Always, you will be known to us affectionately as “Dr. Van Kelly”. Given your brilliance and knowledge in many subject areas and above all as an Educator/Teacher who cared deeply for the formal Classroom and Street students, you earned your honorary Doctorate. We are delighted to have been in your sphere and proud to call you friend. We are forever indebted to our mutual friend Thomas Johnson whom we call Professor for linking our life paths.
Dr. Kelly, thank you for leaving us a legacy of encouragement. When you believed in something, you put heart, soul, and hard work into it, and brought a new dimension to it. You always asked insightful questions that served the dual purpose of teaching. You validated our humble writings of “The Historical Origin of Christianity” and “The Historical Origin of Islam” in our attempt to inform our people of their Greatness and their connection to their African Ancestors, the Ancient Egyptians, and the civilizers of the world. Most importantly, you joined our effort to disseminate information to those you could reach. The children and adults that you were able to touch are so very fortunate. Thank you for enhancing their lives and our lives.
Today, we are inspired by you to refocus on what is most important, i.e., to train our youth to know who they are, what they are capable of becoming, and to reclaim their greatness and to be the influential descendants of their Ancestors, The Ancient Egyptians.
Your life epitomized the very essence of the principles the Ancient Egyptian civilization created and incorporated, known as the MAATHIAN CREED IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. This concept encompasses the concepts of PEACE, LOVE, WISDOM, TRUTH, and JUSTICE.
You fulfilled your purpose and the world is better because you lived. Again, Thank You, Dr. Van Kelly. Rest in Peace.
Maat Hotep (Love and Peace),
Walter & Arnetta Williams
I enjoyed working with Mr. Kelly at Garfield. He always had something interesting or funny to say. He also loved to play ping pong at lunch break and talk “intellectual” trash to everyone he beat!