“Jake”
“Coach Kelican”
Jerry Lee “Jake” Kelican, 77, of Stephens City, Virginia passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Winchester Medical Center.
Mr. Kelican was born in 1939 in Charles Town, West Virginia, the son of the late Roy W. and Helen L. Kelican. Jerry graduated from Charles Town High School, Class of 1957, where he excelled in Baseball, Basketball, Track & Field and Football. In his senior year he was recognized for running the 100 yard dash in 10.0 Seconds flat and was first team All-State West Virginia Quarterback. He was awarded a full ride athletic scholarship to Western State University in Colorado. Instead Jerry chose to attend Potomac State College in Keyser, West Virginia. Here he played college football for two years and was First Team all WVIAC (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) honors as Quarterback. He continued his education at Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia where he played football and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, graduating in 1961. In 1962 Jerry began his employment with Handley High School as a Science and Social Studies teacher as well as Assistant Football Coach and Head Track Coach until 1968, winning District Titles in track in 1967 & 1968. Later he transferred to Vincent, Ohio accepting a position as physical education teacher and head football coach. Here he won District Titles, was a two time Coach of the Year and developed the Little League Football Program and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It was in 1971 he returned to Winchester and began working at James Wood High School as a Physical Education, Drivers Education and Head Football Coach. He ultimately became the Assistant Athletic Director and then began a 14 year tenure as Athletic Director where he oversaw 19 different sports programs, 35 high school teams and 33 athletic coaches. During his time at James Wood High School he led them to three football championships in 1971, 1973 and 1980. He was the Winchester Star’s Coach of the year five times. In 1997 he was presented with the Class AA Athletic Director of the Year and inducted into the Warren Local High School Hall of Fame. In 1999 the James Wood Stadium and Athletic complex was dedicated in Coach Kelican’s honor. To say Coach was highly respected by many fellow teachers and students and his community would be an understatement. The local sports programs have lost a truly instrumental part of history.
Jerry’s family would like people to know that there will never be another like him in addition to his passion for local athletics, teachers and students he was also a devoted Cleveland Browns fan. He had passion for the great outdoors where he enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation; he loved all wildlife and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Jerry also traveled extensively visiting some favorite places such as Colorado, Wyoming, Alaska, the Mountains and of course Myrtle Beach. He will always be remembered for his love of family, his contagious personality, his smile and how he never met a stranger. He will live on in the hearts of many and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Coach Kelican married Ann Marie Kirk on August 8, 1959 in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Surviving with his wife of 57 years is a daughter, Kendra K. Madigan of Stephens City, Virginia; sons, Kraig Kelican and wife, Susan of Stephens City, Virginia and Kris Kelican and wife, Christine of Purcellville, Virginia; nine grandchildren, Kasey, Kyle, Kolby, Katie, Kennedy, Abby, Sean, Ryan and Andrew and one great grandchild, Addison as well as many extended family members and close friends.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by son, Korey Kelican and sister, Carleen Mort.
The family will receive friends on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel with P. Wendell Dick officiating. A reception will follow in Omps Reception Center, Amherst Chapel.
Memorial contributions in memory of Coach Kelican may be made to James Wood Athletic Association, Attention: Craig Woshner, 161 Apple Pie Ridge Road, Winchester, Virginia 22603.