Emmett Kelly, Jr. - Sierra Vista, Az. - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Emmett Kelly, Jr., was the son of the famous clown, Emmett Kelly, Sr., who created the original character, known as Weary Willie. Emmett, Jr. served in the United States Navy and participated in combat during Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following his military service, he worked on the railroad as both a switch tender and a mechanic. It wasn’t until his father retired that Emmitt, Jr., donned the clown make-up and continued the character of Weary Willie. For more than 40-years Emmett, Jr., portrayed the character that his father made famous. During his career as a clown, Emmett, Jr., performed at the White House and championed such causes as The Make A Wish Foundation, Save the Children, and the American Cancer Society. He purchased a home in Tombstone Arizona where he would often spend the winter months. It was while in Tombstone that he joined the Arizona Rangers, a strictly volunteer organization that assisted law enforcement with several time-consuming tasks. Emmett ended his career as a clown on is 81st birthday and retired to his home in Tombstone, Arizona. He died from the complications of pneumonia on November 29, 2006 and his remains are resting in the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
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Description: Emmett Kelly, Jr., was born on November 13, 1924 in Dyersburg, Tennessee. His father was Emmett Kelly, Sr., who was the most famous clown of his day. Being part of a traveling family Emmitt, Jr. would travel around the country with his parent during the summer but lived with his grandparent during the school year. At the age of 18, Emmett, Jr., joined the United States Navy and participated in Naval Operations in Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After his military service, he chose not to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career as a railroad switch tender and mechanic. However, in 1960, after his father’s retirement a few years earlier, Emmett, Jr., donned the clown makeup and debuted as Weary Willie character, like that of his father. For more than 40-years, Emmett Kelly, Jr. traveled the country as Weary Willie. He Performed at the White House on two sperate occasions, while championing such causes as The Make A Wish Foundation, Save the Children, and the American Cancer Society. During the winter he would spend his off time in Tombstone, Arizona and eventually bought a home there in 1980. During his time in Tombstone, Emmett, Jr., joined the Arizona Rangers, an all-volunteer organization that assists law enforcement with traffic control, court security and crime scene preservation. Emmett was extremely proud of his involvement with the Rangers. Emmett Kelly, Jr. ended his clown career when he retired on November 13, 2004, his 81st birthday. He died, two years later, on November 29,2006 from the complications of Pneumonia. His remains are resting the Southern Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Date of birth: 11/13/1924 Date of death: 11/29/2006 Area of notoriety: Entertainment Marker Type: Other Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily 8 a.m. - 4 -.p.m. Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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