Clarence "Dale" Kellis

Clarence “Dale” Kellis (USMC, Ret.), passed away at home after a prolonged battle with cancer, surrounded by his children, family, and friends, on March 18, 2021. He was 69 years old.

An Iowa native, Dale was born to Otho “Dale” Kellis and Joan Lucinda Kellis (Tucker) on May 14, 1951. He graduated Des Moines Technical High School in 1970, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Serving during the Vietnam War, Dale was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Camp Pendleton, California, and Rock Island, Illinois. He proudly served this country for 21 years in various Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs) – 3523: Vehicle Recovery Mechanic, 3516: Automotive Mechanic, 3517: Amphibious Cargo Carrier Mechanic, and finally as a 3529: Motor Transport Maintenance Chief. He loved being a Marine, and he had equal love for cars and the engines that move them. If you knew Dale, inevitably, these topics would arise – and you better believe he had a lot to say about them.

After retiring from the Marines, Dale continued his career as a truck driver, working in construction and operating big rigs and flatbeds over-the-road for several years before settling closer to home. Afterwards, he drove for the Des Moines MTA and local trucking companies; Dale’s last uniform was that of the U.S. Postal Service, where he retired (again) after 13 years of continuous service.

The patriarch of the “Williams Street Hood” where he lived in Des Moines for the last 26 years, Dale was a proud east-sider throughout his life. Many knew him as “the king of one-liners,” and if you were nearby, you would soon find yourself the subject of one. Hard to like, but easy to love, Dale presented with a hard exterior, but his big heart betrayed the facade – if he had the means to help you, he would – and if he took the time to sling one of his jokes your way, it was his way of letting you know he cared.

He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie (Clinton) Skaggs of Greendale, Indiana; 2 sons, Christopher Kellis of Des Moines, Iowa, and Richard Kellis of Los Angeles, California; his sister, Debbie McGilvra, and 3 brothers, Mike Kellis, Richard “Dick” Kellis, and Larry Kellis; and 1 granddaughter, Graci Skaggs. He is preceded in death by his beloved dog, Jagger, and his parents, Otho “Dale” and Joan.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 11 am to 1 pm at Staves Memorial Methodist Church. Light refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Funeral services will be held at Staves Memorial Methodist Church, Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 1 pm, with Pastor Tim Walker officiating. A graveside service, with military honors, will be held Monday, March 29, at 11:00am in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. If you wish to be within the funeral procession, please meet at Hamilton’s Funeral Home at 10 am, where we will depart with a police escort.

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