Kent Kelley |
 Kent Olson Kelley was born "right here" in Fort Myers, Florida to Dixie and Arthur "Speed" Kelley. Growing up on a 20 acre nursery, Kelley's Gardens, was a "blast" he recalls. One can imagine the mischief Kent and his neighborhood assortment conjured up romping in the adjacent field they called "The Alamo."
Kent would occasionally work in the nursery pulling weeds or hole punching egg cans to get spending money but preferred catching snakes, driving tractors, shooting his b.b. gun, swimming in the lake or climbing trees. Little of his Dad's passion for horticulture was rubbing off at this point.
Tree trimming was Kent's first business endeavor after high school, when he also attended Edison Community College, part-time. He got married at nineteen and later had three children, Aubrey, Nigel, and Darby.
In 1983 the home place/nursery was sold and Kent decided to join the family business. The beckoning of horticulture in Kent's blood finally pulled him in as operations moved to the Hendry Creek Drive location. A new business was formed with his family in 1985, A.W. Kelley's Gardens, Inc.
Kent picked up the details of growing plants quickly with his fathers' extensive knowledge and gentle hand. Kent recalls that there were some lean years financially, but overall the business prospered. He would say; "The satisfaction of seeing acres of rich, green blooming plants and knowing I played a part in it is priceless."
In 2001 Kent met the real true love of his life, Claudine Cody. A couple years later they decided to have a child and thus Ethan James Kelley was born in October of 2004. Ethan spent quality time with "Pa Speed" most of his first year until grandpa's passing, August, 2005. They were quite fond of each other! Little Ethan has obsessions with dirt, garden tools, and riding the tractors at work. Wonder where he got that from?
The nursery business has been challenging at times for Kent and his family in dealing with hurricanes, poor economy, freezes, flooding, pests, and weeds. Despite these shortcomings, he wouldn't want it any other way. Working side by side all those years with a wonderful teacher, like his dad, has been a joy. Kent has incorporated modern technology into the business to enhance its' outcome. Kent says "I'm not even going to attempt filling my father's shoes, size 13, but know that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." |
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Location
A.W KELLEY'S GARDENS INC
6901 Hendry Creek Drive
Ft. Myers, Florida 33908
Click here for map
Hours of operation:
Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Closed Sat. & Sun.
Phone Number:
(239) 481-1555
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