Remember the man who gave Adams County its flag. Who spent his life chronicling our history, protecting our heritage, and telling the stories others might forget. Remember the historian, the teacher, the curator. The veteran. The neighbor. The friend.
Byron Stephen Kelley Jr. was born on April 25, 1949, and remained a lifelong resident of Seaman, Ohio. A graduate of Seaman High School and the University of Cincinnati, he served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era before returning home to serve his community in countless ways. As a Sunday School teacher, a real estate agent, a lecturer, and a planner for Adams-Brown Counties Economic Opportunities, Inc., Stephen wore many hats—but perhaps none as proudly as that of historian.
For decades, Stephen was the heart of the Adams County Historical Society and the guiding force behind the Adams County Heritage Center. He designed the county flag in 1997, helped place numerous historic buildings on the Ohio Registry, authored seven books and booklets, and even appeared on The History Channel. His work preserved the stories of this place so that future generations would not only remember them—but understand them.
When Stephen passed away on August 11, 2011, at the age of 62, Adams County lost one of its most devoted stewards of memory. But his legacy continues. In every preserved building, every local history book, and every student he taught, his spirit lives on.
When we remember Stephen Kelley, we remember what it means to give back. To preserve. To serve. To care about something bigger than ourselves. And in doing so, we invite others to do the same.
