Jack O’Kelley was a prominent leader and educator in the Burlington-Alamance County and surrounding area.  He was an athlete, educator, politician and a humanitarian.  He touched and was “in touch” with all people around him.  He was bigger than life ... both in his physical presence and in the impact he had on his generation.  Because of his example and the service he gave to Alamance County and North Carolina, in 1986 the founders of the newly created club of Sertoma International in Burlington, NC, named their club in his honor.

 

            Jack O’Kelley was born in High Point, NC on July 3, 1925.  In 1942, he graduated from Adkins High School and enrolled in Winston-Salem State Teachers College, now Winston-Salem State University (WSSU).  After one year at WSSU, Jack entered the U.S. Navy during World War II.  After the war, he returned to WSSU and earned a BS degree in Education and eventually earned a Master’s degree from NC A&T University.  While in college, he played basketball and was an All-American football player.

 

            After receiving his degree in Education, Jack taught and coached football at Washington High School in Reidsville, NC.  During his tenure in Reidsville, he met his wife, Maxine Haith, and they eventually moved to Alamance County where they both began to build solid reputations as outstanding educators.  Jack was a teacher at Elon College Elementary School in 1957, a principal at Graham Elementary School from 1961 - 1968, and a principal of Graham High School from 1968 - 1970. 

​

             In 1972, Jack made history when he became the first black person to serve on the Alamance County Board of Commissioners.  He was re-elected again in 1974, 1976 and 1980, serving as county commissioner for more than 10 years and was the Chairman of the Board at the time of his death.  Jack O’Kelley served as a member of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors.   His service to Alamance County included being a member of the Human Relations Council, the Salvation Army, and the governing board of the United Way of Alamance County.  He was named Man of the Year in 1978 by the Alamance County Committee on Civic Affairs and in 1980 by the Reidsville Regional Chapter of the National Association of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs.  Jack was also helped organize ten new scout units prior to being awarded the Silver Beaver Award.  

 

            After his first heart attack in 1980, Jack retired from the Technical College of Alamance, where he served as Director of Extension and Basic Adult Education.  On May 2, 1983, Jack suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 57 years old.  Jack was survived by his son “Rusty” – Jack O’Kelley, III.  His wife Maxine was laid to rest in January 2007.