Hall of Fame

Donald P. Kelly Jr.
McGill Institute Class of 1958

Don Kelly came to McGill Institute from St. Matthew's School where he was an altar boy, quarterback of the championship football team and a member of the winning Toy Bowl team. While at McGill, he was an honor roll student, a member of the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart and president of the CYO. He was a standout on the track team, quarterback of the undefeated freshman football team, winning 14 consecutive games, and quarterback on the junior varsity and varsity teams.

After graduation, he attended the University of Alabama , receiving his bachelor's degree in secondary education and graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1963. He received a master's degree from the University of South Alabama and is a graduate of the US Army's Command and General Staff College.

Don served two years as an officer on active duty in the US Army and in the Army National Guard for 25 years, retiring as a Colonel. After his active duty military service, Don was a football and track coach at UMS-Wright for seven years. During that time, he was named Track Coach of the Year five times and led them to six consecutive City and County Championships and three State Championships.

Don left coaching and joined The Mitchell Company where he has been for 33 years. Beginning as a shopping center manager, he moved up through all departments of the company, to his current position as senior executive vice-president and partner.

Don has been an active member of the Board of Realtors and an officer in the International Council of Shopping Centers. Don is currently a member of the McGill-Toolen Foundation Board, Lipscomb Stadium Board, McGill-Toolen Yellow Jacket Club, Board of Trustees at UMS-Wright and a member of the UMS-Wright Athletic Hall of Fame. He is president of the Mobile Chapter of Legatus, an international organization of Catholic CEOs, chairman of the Little Sisters of the Poor Capital Campaign, and involved in Outback and First Things First Ministries.

He is an active member and daily communicant of St. Pius X Church. Don is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Peggy Fobes, Bishop Toolen '58, and a member of the 1958 Homecoming Court . He has a long line of Catholic high school graduates in his family: his parents, now deceased, Claire Kearns Kelly, Convent of Mercy '29; and Don Kelly Sr., Spring Hill '28; and his sisters, Jackie K. Miller, also deceased, '55 and Elaine K. Henderson, '66; both Convent of Mercy. Don and Peggy have three children and one granddaughter, all graduates of McGill-Toolen: Donnie Kelly III, '81; Susan K. Raley, '82; Shannon K. Hoch, '84; and Kelly Raley '05.

Inducted 2009
Biography updated 11/4/09

Hall of Fame

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