A former Michigan Attorney General, and the person to have held that title for the longest time, has died.
The family of Frank J. Kelley announced his death on Saturday, March 6. Kelley, Michigan’s longest serving attorney general who bore the nickname “Eternal General,” was 96 and had been living in Naples, Florida, since he moved there in 2020.
Kelley died late on Friday, March 5, of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Naples.
Kelley was born in Detroit and graduated from the University of Detroit. He served as Alpena’s city attorney before Gov. John Swainson appointed him state Attorney General in 1961, replacing a vacancy left by Paul L. Adams when he became a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.
Kelley, a Democrat, retired in 1999 after serving as Michigan Attorney General for 37 years. He had been elected to the position 10 times.
Kelley’s family said he was especially proud of setting up the nation’s first Consumer Protection and Environmental Protection Divisions. He was a leader in Michigan on Civil Rights issues as well.
Kelley worked under five governors of differing political parties.
“Kelley was known for standing up for the little guy much to the consternation of the executives of utilities, insurance companies, companies that polluted and retailers,” his family said in a prepared statement. “He played a major role in helping to pass into law the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. He was active in the resolution of the national tobacco settlement.
“He never forgot that he was the ‘people’s lawyer.’
Kelley was also a former president of the National Association of Attorneys General, which honored him by naming the association’s award for outstanding service the Kelley-Wyman award.
Attorney Frank Kelley debates against oppenent John Smietanka before the Grand Rapids Bar Association in this 1989 file photo. (MLive file photo)BPN
After leaving office, Kelley returned to private practice joining with former House Republican Leader Dennis Cawthorne to form the Kelley Cawthorne firm.
Kelley is survived by three children — Karen Kelley, Frank E. Kelley and Jane Kelley-Schott.
“He was a great dad and husband, who had a great sense of humor. He was a loyal friend and mentor to many, he considered public service as an honor,” the siblings said in a joint statement. “He loved the law and his loyalty to the people of Michigan was unwavering.”
“Frank J. Kelley was one of my absolute favorite people from whom to get advice, perspective, or humor,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in the press release. “He was a never-ending fount of wisdom and fun. From his college days to the battles he fought as Michigan’s longest serving attorney general, he always had stories and insight into the human condition and generosity of time. I know I am among countless, fortunate people who had the honor of working with the brilliant and irascible Frank J. Kelley. He will be missed but his mark on Michigan will be felt – as generations were benefited by his leadership. His endorsement of and counsel to candidates like me meant as much to us as it did to the public we hoped to serve. I’ll forever be grateful to my friend, Mr. Kelley.”
Current Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel described Kelley as “an extraordinary man, the quintessential public servant, and a legend in his own time.”
“Having served as Michigan’s attorney general for 37 years, he was, on his retirement in 1999, the longest serving state attorney general in the country,” Nessel said. “During those many years of service, he was a beacon to the State, a mentor to many, and a valued advisor to notable public officials. As extraordinary as his accomplishments were, many will best remember Mr. Kelley for his humor, friendship, and humanity. He will be sorely missed.”
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said: “Frank Kelley blazed the trail for all state attorneys general to become ‘the people’s lawyer.’ He was the first to capture the full role of the AG in consumer and environmental protection, utility regulation, and civil rights. He was a wonderful person and a very close personal friend. And oh, yes, I will always remember the Kelley wit.”
Former Michigan Governor and now U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm said: “Frank Kelley was my first mentor in state government and what a teacher he was, with an Irishman’s gift of humor and a fierce heart for the average working person. When I was governor, Frank would pop into my office every few weeks with humorous advice on how to fight and who to fight. He wasn’t one to back down whether it was wrangling with the utility companies or corrupt officials. No wonder he held the record as the nation’s longest serving Attorney General for so many years. Voters loved him and he loved them back. And I loved him, too.”
Former House Republican Leader Dennis Cawthorne said: “Frank was one of the most kind-hearted, honest, ethical persons I have ever known, in both his public service and in his 15 years of practice with me in the private law sector. He was a true legend, recognized as such across the nation and deservedly so.”
Jack Lessenberry, Kelley biographer, said: “Frank Kelley didn’t just serve as Michigan’s attorney general longer than anyone in state history -- he really invented the office in its modern form. adding consumer protection and environmental divisions before other states had them, and was a fierce defender of civil rights and the godfather of many a career, from Governor Jim Blanchard to Governor Jennifer Granholm. Most of all, he was defined by the title of our book -- The People’s Lawyer.”
The Kelley family will be announcing a memorial service at a later date.
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