La Paz County Superior Court Presiding Court Judge Marcus Kelley, a longtime fixture in Arizona’s conservative Republican community, died on Sunday. He is survived by his wife Nickie, who serves as 3rd Vice Chair for the Arizona Republican Party, and two teenage children.
Arizona Supreme Court Presiding Justice Ann Timmer issued a statement of condolence from the court. “For the past three years, Judge Kelley served the people of La Paz County with dedication and a strong sense of public duty,” she said. “He brought to the bench a broad and impressive record of public service and legal experience, including work in the Arizona State Senate, eight years of service on the Choice Academies school board, time as an Assistant Attorney General, and private practice handling complex matters affecting Arizona families and communities.”
Timmer said Kelley was “devoted to his family.” She relayed, “For the past four years, he drove more than two hours each way on Friday nights so he could be there to watch his son play high school football and his daughter cheer. He cheered so loudly and proudly that he became ‘famous’ to the teams they played against.”
Arizona reporter Christy Kelly expressed her sympathy to Arizona Insiders. “I got to know Marcus and Nickie when Nickie and I ran for office two years ago,” she said. “We saw each other often on the campaign trail and bonded as two newcomers finding our footing in politics. At every step, Marcus was by her side. His support was constant and steady. Recently, when Nickie won a position on the board of the AZGOP, I was texting him updates. He was so proud of her. You could feel it in every message. He loved God, Nickie, and their kids. It was palpable. This is truly heartbreaking.”
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