Longtime Atlanta councilman dies

By Bobby Horn Jr.
news@casscountynow.com

Long-time Atlanta businessman and city council member James Roy “J.R.” O’Kelley passed away May 31. He was 67.
O’Kelley was most known as the “man behind the chair” as the owner of O’Kelley’s Barber Shop for four decades, taking over after his father ran the shop.
O’Kelley had also served as councilman for District 3 since May, 2005.
“He loved serving the citizens of Atlanta,” City Manager David Cockrell said. “Councilman O’Kelley was not only a friend but more, he was a great leader on the city council and he served his community with great honor and integrity and he will be missed.”
Cockrell said that this is the first time he has experienced the death of a sitting council member and was not sure how the vacant seat should be filled.
“The city has asked its attorney to get us some answers. We have procedures written in our city charter and we want to make sure we follow those procedures.”