Well-known Flathead Valley appraiser Jim Kelley dies

Jim Kelley, a longtime Kalispell appraiser whose real estate statistical data was a vital resource for local business and real-estate leaders, died unexpectedly Monday in Kalispell from complications of pneumonia. He was 67.

Kelley had cut short a trip to Mexico because he was feeling ill.

An appraiser for 36 years, Kelley provided a monthly update and analysis of the Flathead County real estate market that was heavily used by the business community. He was widely respected throughout the Flathead Valley real estate community.

Kelley was a regular presenter at annual economic outlook seminars, sharing his extensive database of property sales in Northwest Montana.

“The amount of work he put into crunching those numbers every month [was impressive],” said Kim Morisaki, business development manager of Montana West Economic Development. “He gave us a pretty good picture of what was going on in our real-estate world of the Flathead valley. It was a terrific amount of work and he took it very seriously.”

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce President Joe Unterreiner echoed Morisaki’s praise for Kelley’s contributions.

“Jim Kelley was my go-to expert for Flathead Valley real-estate trends, data, information,” Unterreiner said. “He was also just a great person who contributed to the community through Daybreak Rotary and its projects. He will be missed.”

Kelley was the owner and senior appraiser of Kelley Appraisal in Kalispell and specialized in appraisals for purchases, sales and commercial and residential loans. He was considered a leading appraiser in Northwest Montana and had particular expertise in dealing with appraisals for complex and difficult properties.

Kelley also was experienced in litigation support as an appraiser and a consultant.

Dale Crosby, owner-broker of PureWest Real Estate, said Kelley’s passing is a big loss to the community.

“In my 20 years of real estate I relied on Jim Kelley’s statistical reports and data, every quarter and every month,” Crosby said. “He was a tremendous asset to our community, and he was very giving with his information.”

Northwest Montana Association of Realtors Public Affairs Director Erica Wirtala said the association “was saddened to hear of Jim Kelley’s sudden passing.

“He had been a long-standing member of NMAR and a frequent contributor of statistics to the local media,” Wirtala said. “Jim’s career in real estate spanned decades as he became a member of the Montana Association of Realtors in 1981. Our sincere condolences go to his family and friends.”

Beyond his work as an appraiser, another of Kelley’s passions was sailing. He was an integral member of the North Flathead Yacht Club for years and currently was on the board of directors.

Liz Maul, Kelley’s first mate for 23 years, said his sailing finesse was well-known.

“He was the best skipper,” she said. “He never yelled or put the crew down. He always had praise for us,” even if a mistake was made.

Maul said Kelley always encouraged beginning sailors and was a good teacher.

Kelley was taking in the WestMex International Kids Regatta during his recent trip to Mexico, and had posted comments on Facebook about the race and how several hundred kids were participating.

During his 40 years as a sailor, Kelley sailed in several races off Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, spent a season racing around the Virgin Islands and raced at Tampa Bay, Florida.

Kelley’s sister Lynne Reed of Stevensville said her brother “was a take-charge kind of guy.

“He was living life to the fullest,” she said. “He was always there for his family.”

Kelley’s adopted son Brian Kelley of Kalispell said his father “was the epitome of the Jimmy Buffet lifestyle,” referring to the famous musician’s songs that talk of a tropical world of beaches and good times. Kelley often had Jimmy Buffet music playing as he and his crew waited for the sunset to bring the evening thermal that carries the sailboats up and down the race course on Flathead Lake.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the Kelley family. A celebration of life will be held at the North Flathead Yacht Club on Flathead Lake in late June once the sailboats are in the water.

Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.