The Bexley community is mourning the loss of longtime maintenance technician Kelvin Talley, who passed away Jan. 18 at the age of 61.
Talley worked for the district since 2000, and before his time at Bexley City Schools he studied jet engine mechanics and engineering in the United States Air Force, becoming a sergeant before being honorably discharged, according to Affinity Memorial Chapel.
Director of Facilities and Operations Harley Williams said Talley was a key member of the community, living just outside of Bexley. When Williams bought his house, he said he hired Talley, a certified electrician, to help rewire outlets and work on projects.
“We’d work a little while and do things, have a hamburger, so I got to know him very well,” he said. “You couldn’t help but like Kelvin.”
Williams said Talley was incredibly dedicated to his family and did whatever he could to give back and help others. He added that Talley helped raise his son’s friend in addition to his own children and grandchildren.
Art teacher Mabi Ponce de Leon said Talley was fun to talk to and always had solutions to problems. She said Talley was extremely kind-hearted and full of humor, which made her look forward to seeing him throughout the school year.
“He knew everything,” Ponce de Leon said. “People like Mr. Talley, without them, this place wouldn’t be running.”
Custodian Ally Penner described Talley as a great asset to the school and someone who carried an energy of positivity around himself at all times.“He always had different nicknames for everybody,” Penner said. “ I was Ally Cat and my sister actually works here too, and he called her Haley’s comet. So funny, humorous, just very bright, intelligent person, always willing to lend a hand.”