About Cary Kelly

Cary spent his early years in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago. He attended high school in New England and college on the West Coast. After 28 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, he and his wife, Mona - after encountering the "Long Bridge Experience" - relocated to Sandpoint in 1993. It was their 20th household move!

(Cary and Mona, photographed at right)

Military Career

Cary was commissioned a 2Lt. in the Marine Corp after graduating from Stanford University in 1964. He was activated after receiving a graduate diploma from the University of Stockholm, Sweden in 1965. His first assignment included being an infantry company commander/executive officer engaged in combat operations in the Republic of South Vietnam during 1966-1967. Surviving that tour, he reported to flight school and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1968, and was sent back to the WesPac (Western Pacific) in 1970 as an F-4 Phantom pilot.

He was selected as the commanding officer of three different marine aviation units during his career. His last overseas assignment was the Chief of Staff of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa, Japan. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/combat "V", and the Combat Action Ribbon (plus numerous unit and campaign awards). He left active service as a colonel in 1993 to move to Bonner County.

Marine Deputy in Bonner County

Cary has been a marine deputy in Bonner County for almost 18 years. For the past 11 years, he has been the supervisor of the Marine Division and was subsequently promoted to sergeant and then lieutenant.

During this period he guided the unit from being primarily focused on law enforcement to being more community-service oriented. The division expanded in personnel, patrol vessels, maintenance and storage facilities and docks. All existing vessels were reconfigured to outboard engines (225 hp), which provided considerable savings in fuel and maintenance costs (all maintenance is done by marine deputies). These improvements were paid for through state and federal grants - not directly from Bonner County taxpayers. He was awarded 12 state grants totaling more than $425,000 (not including matching funds) during the past 11 years. In addition, the changes he incorporated saved the county about $70,000 per year due to an in-house maintenance capability, fuel savings (new fuel-efficient engines), increased engine life, and having his own storage and dock facilities.

Cary is a POST (Peace Officers Standardization and Training) certified maritime law enforcement instructor, and has been the lead instructor for initial marine deputy training (Marine Academy) in Bonner County for the past 5 years.

Family

Married - Cary and Mona have been married (happily) for over 48 years!
Daughter - Kim Diercks and her family moved to Sandpoint about 10 years ago. She works for Panhandle State Bank.
Son - Chris Kelly and his family moved to Sandpoint about 6 years ago. He works for Coldwater Creek.
Five grandchildren - Four boys and one girl range in age from 10 to 15. All are attending public schools in Sandpoint.
Dog - Joy Kelly, moved in about 5 years ago, is for limited government - especially when it comes to leash laws and "dogs at large" ordinances.

(Family in Sandpoint, photographed at right)

Education

Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University in 1964
Graduate Diploma from University of Stockholm, Sweden, in 1965
Graduate of Marine Command and Staff College in 1978
Masters Degree in Education from Marymount University in 1993
Idaho Education Credential (Social Studies 6/12) 1993-1998

Hobbies/Other

Skiing
Sailing
Being nice to his wife!
Member of the Bonner County Waterways Advisory Committee for the past 13 years.