James "Mike" Kellar

James Michael “Mike” Kellar
9/23/1967-10/19/2021

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Melissa Kellar, their children Ethan and Colin, Mike’s mother Phyllis Kellar of Norwalk, IA, brother Steve (Kamy) Kellar of Urbandale, IA, sister Tena (Steve) Baumgardner of Ankeny, IA, brother-in-law Scot (Denise) Wicker of Urbandale, IA, brother-in-law Jeff Wicker of Glidden, IA, father-in-law Gary Wicker of Des Moines, IA, and nephews Joel, Nathan and Benjamin Kellar, Alex Baumgardner, Charlie and Jack Wicker and nieces Sarah Wicker and Ella Baumgardner. Also surviving are many loving extended family and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his father Dennis Kellar, mother-in-law Linda Wicker, grandparents Hattie and Cecil Burdick, Loretta and Ramie Kellar, uncles Jim Burdick and Bob Fairfield.

Mike had worked for BusinessSolver, Inc. for the last 9 years. He was so proud to be part of such an amazing group of talented and caring people. From day one, he knew he was right at home and loved the work and was driven to succeed. This team was definitely the work family you hope to be able to be a part of in your career. We have been so blessed to be a part of the Solver family. Prior to that, Mike worked for the Des Moines Playhouse, 1st Class Credit Union, ITA Group, Relationship Marketing, Principal Financial Group, Midland Savings Bank, Mt. Ayr Community High School, Village Inn, the downtown Holiday Inn, and Younkers Tea Room.

Mike was born in Kalamazoo, MI. Dennis and Phyllis were excited to start their family and Dennis’ career kept them moving around the country. The family moved from Kalamazoo to Athens, GA, then to Charleston, SC, and then to Detroit, MI. That was in the first 2 years of life. Thrown in there was a trip back to Kalamazoo to have a little surgery to remove his extra toes – he was born with 12 toes – 6 on each foot! While in Detroit, along came brother Steve and sister Tena. Then moving again to Brockport, NY, to Churchville, NY, to Cincinnati, OH, to finally Norwalk, IA in 1981.

Mike went to Norwalk High School and was involved in Speech and Debate and was also on the tennis team. He graduated in 1985 and went on to Simpson College where he was involved with forensics, politics and became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha. He took a hiatus, what we now call a “gap year”, and moved out to Colorado. He then made his way back to Iowa and attended Grandview College and returned to Simpson. It may have taken 6 years to graduate, a long standing joke among friends, but there is a reason for everything. During his 2nd start at Simpson, he arrived with passion about his future and his fraternity. He held the offices of Rush Chairman, Social Chairman and President. He also became involved as a football yell leader and as actor and technician in the theater department where he met the woman he would marry. His story is that Melissa stalked him as he worked in the mail room. But honestly, the two of them became best friends and they began dating in the fall of 1989. On Valentine’s Day 1990, they were engaged. This was a surprise to their families, but when you know you found your person, you know it! The two of them graduated in May 1991 and were married on August 10, 1991.

After they were married, they honeymooned in San Francisco and then onto Fujiyoshida City, Japan to teach conversational English. Soon they were back in the states and working to make a life with each other. Like his parents, Mike and Melissa moved about 10 times in the first 10 years they were married. During this time they were also volunteering at the Des Moines Playhouse. Mike loved the creative process and the collaboration of working on a production. He was an actor, novice tap dancer, stage manager, director, stage hand, fly captain, sound and light board operator. This was something they both enjoyed. He continued to volunteer throughout the years with him being awarded a Playhouse Legend. He was also volunteering his time to his beloved fraternity. Mike was his chapters advisor for 21 years and he was awarded the Order of Merit in his last year. Mike cared deeply about the fraternity and its ideals and simply the brotherhood. He loved mentoring those brothers.

Mike’s greatest joy was his family. He was so excited to become a father. Ethan was born on February 10, 2006. God blessed us for sure! We were blessed again on May 2, 2009, when Colin was born! Mike was a hands on dad from the beginning. Mike and Melissa were a team! He loved playing with them, teaching them and coaching them. He coached Ethan’s baseball team for 5 years and also coached Colin’s flag football team and fall baseball team. Mike always said “I never played in a little league game, I never played baseball or football. But I know what it is to be a part of a team and work for the same goal.” He loved those times and cherished all of those he coached. As a family there were so many adventures! Disney World, hiking in Colorado, rollercoasters, Bahama cruise, camping, fishing, golfing, major league baseball games and just loving his family and being the best dad.

Mike was a great man. He was a loyal friend. A driven and passionate teammate. A caring and generous soul. Whatever he was doing, he gave it everything. His work, volunteering and the love he had for his family. He had an infectious laugh and a sometimes wicked sense of humor. Mike was a man with strong faith in God. He took on cancer. He prayed so hard and fought as hard as he could. He fought by continuing to work and volunteer at church (he joined the Catholic church on Easter in 2015) and coach. He loved his family with all his heart! He always ended his notes like this and so we will today: love you to the moon and back!

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 4th at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 1200 Warrior Lane, Waukee, IA 50263 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 8:00. A Celebration of Life will be on Friday, November 5th at St. Boniface at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wells Fargo Bank for the J. Michael Kellar Memorial.

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