Kelly Jon Stites, age 49, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at the Nebraska Methodist Hospital following a long courageous battle with cancer. Kelly was born July 29, 1975, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Jon and Linda (Rider) Stites. He was raised in Omaha and graduated from Millard South High School. He worked as a cook in Omaha before moving to Red Oak in 2005. He was united in marriage to Brandi Jones on June 29, 2007, in Red Oak. Two daughters were born to this union: Kennedy and Maizey. Kelly's #1 love in life was his daughters. He worked for Rainbow Café and later Fresco Systems for 13 years. His greatest interests were fishing, Star Wars, Husker Football, sharks, camping, family reunions, sitting around the campfire, pizza, horror movies, cooking and going to the park with his girls, boating in Stockton, Missouri, and mushroom hunting. He was known for his witty sense of humor and selfless acts of kindness.

Preceding him in death were his father: Jon Stites and grandparents: Leonard and Dolores Branecki; Grace and Orville Stites; and Clarence and Irene Pelzer. Survivors include his daughters: Kennedy and Maizey Stites of Stanton, IA; mother: Linda Rider and husband Jerry of Windsor, CO; step-mother: Diane Stites of Omaha, NE; aunts: Janet Kennedy and husband George of Santa Cruz, CA and Susan Murphy and husband Mike of Colorado; uncle: Doug Branecki and wife Rena of Stockton, MO; cousins: Kyle Branecki of Omaha, NE; Sofia Ormsbee of Colorado; and Nicholas Ormsbee of Colorado; and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held 2 PM Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel with a luncheon to follow at the Red Oak Eagles Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Kennedy and Maizey Stites.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.