Sierra Vista Company

If There Is A Clown Heaven

 by LT Joe A. Santos
Secretary

The World’s Most Famous Clown, Emmett Kelly, Jr., always had his audiences rolling with laughter as he performed the antics that made him America’s most favorite clown.  Yet, as an Arizona Ranger, he served with honor, decorum, and distinction. 

Arizona Ranger Emmett Kelly, Jr., Tombstone Company (Decommissioned), Badge 405, passed away on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center.  Emmett’s family, his friends, and The Arizona Rangers were at his bedside when, at 1505, he took his final breath.

 Emmett Kelly, Jr. was born on 13 November 1924 in Dyersburg, Tennessee.  He was born into a circus family, and often said he had “circus” in his blood.  Growing up he lived mostly with his Grandma Hunter while going to school, but once summer arrived he would rejoin his parents under the Big Top. 

 At age 18, Ranger Kelly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served during World War II.  He spent three years in the Pacific participating in major offensives in Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Philippines.  Upon his discharge, Ranger Kelly tried his hand at automotives and also worked for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad as a Brakeman.  Afterwards, he became an avid model train enthusiast.  No doubt, his interest in the railroad later inspired him to create the Emmett Kelly, Jr. Circus Train collection.

 Under the tutelage of his father, he debuted in July 1960 as Weary Willie.  He performed his act throughout the world.  During his lifetime, he was honored by Presidents, First Ladies, Kings and Queens, and numerous heads of state. 

 Emmett spent from 1964-1966 at the Eastman Kodak Pavilion during the New York World’s Fair.  Then, he spent another 20 plus years crisscrossing the United States serving as Kodak’s Ambassador of Goodwill.  While traveling to a Kodak performance in San Diego, Emmett drove to Tombstone on a sightseeing detour.  It was basically on a whim.  He said he had “four days” to get to San Diego and he was well ahead of schedule so he wanted to see Tombstone.  He was enthralled by the town and vowed to retire there.  Emmett would snowbird each year in Tombstone until he moved there in 1980.  It was then that he joined the Arizona Rangers and the Tombstone Company.

 In 2004, Ranger Kelly did finally retire from clowning, and “passed the nose” in August 2004 to then “Emmett Kelly, Jr. the Second,” Mr. David Town.

 Emmett shared many stories with me during the past six years.  He had stories about the war, stories about the railroad, stories about clowning, stories about traveling the United States, and stories about serving as an Arizona Ranger.  He truly enjoyed being a Ranger.  His favorite duty was covering Bingo in Tombstone.

 On his last birthday, Emmett had one request for me.  With a gleam in his eye, he asked me to retrieve his Ranger Badge.  Sixteen days later, he passed away.

 Ranger Kelly’s daughter, Cherry Ann Kelly-Knapp, was his best friend and number one fan.  She was his caretaker in his final years.  It was to her that LTC Lathan Varnado, State Adjutant, presented Ranger Kelly’s Badge on behalf of the entire organization with “the gratitude of the Arizona Rangers and the people of the state of Arizona.”

 In a gold framed case, Mrs. Kelly-Knapp was presented an Arizona Ranger Patch flanked on the left by a Ranger Badge and a Ranger Belt Buckle on the right.  Also laying on the field of blue felt was a plaque inscribed “Emmett Kelly, Jr., Arizona Rangers, Tombstone Company, 1982, Badge # 405.” 

 The Sierra Vista Company had now honored Ranger Kelly’s final request.  He was laid to rest at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery with full military honors provided by a Navy Color Guard.  The sounds of Taps echoed among a daunting silence, and the Rangers, standing at attention,  offered their final salute. 

 Weary Willie, Emmett’s alter ego, was there too.  He stood in the clear sky above us.  His face gave way to the hint of an ever so slight smile.  With his broom in hand, Weary Willie swept the spotlight shut, his classic closing routine, for one last time.  Then, he was gone.

 So, if there truly is a Clown Heaven, then Ranger Kelly, his father, Emmett Kelly, Sr., his Stepfather, JoJo the Cop Clown, and clowns from all over the world are there swapping stories, playing pranks, and making everyone laugh.

 Arizona Ranger Emmett Leo Kelly, Jr., is 10-8 in Clown Heaven.

 The Sierra Vista Company wishes to express our gratitude to State Officers, LTC Lathan Varnado and MAJ Don Hall, as well as Sierra Vista Company Rangers, CPT Rick Shelley, LT Kenn Barrett, SGT Jeffery Howard, SGT John Tebo, and Ranger Mike Gerard for their participation in escorting the family while in Tombstone and at the interment ceremonies.  In attendance from Tucson Company were Rangers Tom Trautman and Phil Aiken.

 At the request of the Tombstone Marshall, LT Barrett, who coordinated the Ranger effort in Tombstone, and SGT Howard stood guard at the family home while they attended the interment in Sierra Vista.

 Special thanks to MAJ Anita Korhonen, who researched and verified Ranger Kelly’s service through the archives at the Ranger Museum making this presentation possible.

 Special thanks to the staff of Sundance Engravers and We Frame It for preparing the presentation case on such short notice.

 In a brief private ceremony on Tuesday, 5 December 2006, Mr. David Town became “Emmett Kelly, Jr.” with the passing of a gold initial ring worn by Ranger Kelly for 45 years.  Engraved on the ring are the initials “EKJ.”  He will wear the ring until he passes the nose to yet another Emmett Kelly, Jr.