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In memory of

Michael Taylor Kelly

Evergreen Park, IL, USA

December 3, 1950 - December 20, 2019

Dec 3, 1950 - Dec 20, 2019

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Michael Taylor Kelly, 69, of Chicago, Illinois, lost his fight to brain cancer and passed away on Friday, December 20, 2019.

Michael was born in Tampa, Florida, but moved as an infant with his family to the beautiful, culturally diverse windy city, Chicago. He attended Leo High School in Chicago. Michael was a gifted artist, won a full-ride scholarship due to his incredible talent and pursued a career-focused in art by studying painting at the University of Michigan and obtained an MFA. Micheal discovered he had a passion for teaching and continued his education at Chicago State University and was awarded a BSED in Art Education.

Michael currently was a highly respected and widely loved Lecturer by students at Chicago State University, a Visiting Professor at DeVry University Student Life and a former Professor at Robert Morris University, Illinois. He was also an interactive designer on the innovative team at Art On The Loose, Inc., a creative design agency.

Throughout his career, Mike was recognized by peers for his incredible talent. His interactive design coding and user experience design were published in many magazines, including HOW and Communication Arts. Mike's creative writings were published in newspapers, including The Reader in Chicago, among many other publications.

In 1996 he first met Shirley Justice, after years passed losing touch as friends, but happily reconnecting in 2009, fell in love, and married in 2010. Going on to have a beautiful full and exciting life together with Brendan Kelly, Michael's biological son, and Brandon Justice, Shirley's biological son.

Michael lost his fight to cancer and passed away Friday, December 20, 2019. He was an intelligent man that made an impact on so many people. Mike's wishes were to donate his body to science so they could study his condition in hopes of helping find a cure and save others from this horrible disease, cancer. He will be cremated in the upcoming weeks after the research is complete.

Michael Taylor Kelly was predeceased by his son Michael Alexander Kelly. He is survived by wife Shirley Justice, brother George Kelly, sister-in-law Sandra Kelly, sons Eric Malone (aka Kofi), Brenden Kelly, and Brandon Justice, niece Stacy Kelly, nephew Bryan Kelly, niece-in-law Vita and the many dear friends who loved him.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make your donations to Harley Helping Hands. They were terrific during these trying times and helped when times became financially difficult. Harley Helping Hands, to positively impact the lives of adults battling with brain cancer.

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