Hadden Kelly, a native of Eastman, Georgia, and avid golfer, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025, at an untimely age of 17, leaving his parents and loved ones devastated.
According to Dodge County Coroner Joe Smith, Hadden Kelly collapsed around 8:30–9 a.m. while participating in homecoming-related activities with friends, including a prank known as “TPing,” where toilet paper is tossed across yards.
He was quickly taken to Dodge County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy has been scheduled in Atlanta to determine the exact cause of his sudden death.
Kelly’s family, friends, and the school community are mourning the loss of a bright, outgoing, and talented student, who was also a promising golfer.
Dodge County High School shared their condolences to his parents, noting that Hadden Kelly was “gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”
In addition to being an amazing athlete, Hadden Kelly was a great son to his parents, Jess and Beth Kelly, and a loving brother to his younger sibling, Gray.
Both graduates of Dodge County High School, Jess Kelly and Mary Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Kelly, instilled the love and passion for sports in their first child, Hadden Kelly, and guided him to become an exceptional athlete at such a young age.
Despite their late son Hadden Kelly’s fame in Eastman, Georgia, as an avid golfer, Jess and Beth prefer to maintain a low profile and have not shared much about their professional journey.
The couple is also not active on social media and is currently grieving the untimely demise of their beloved son.
Late Hadden Kelly’s Parents, Jess and Beth Kelly, are Both Georgia Natives
Late Hadden Kelly’s parents, Jess and Beth Kelly, are both natives of Georgia; they currently reside on Jim Ross Road in Eastman, Georgia. Before that, the Kelly family lived on Ogden Street, Eastman.
His mother, Mary Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Kelly, was born on August 30, 1982; however, very little information about Beth’s personal life is available.
Likewise, Hadden’s father, Jess B. Kelly, was born on March 28, 1978, as one of the seven children to father, John Caswell Kelly, and mother, Linda Smith Kelly, in Chauncey, Georgia.
While Jess Kelly is not very active on social media, Hadden’s grandmother, Linda Smith Kelly, often shares pictures of him and his parents on social media, expressing her love and pride for them.
In addition to his parents, grandparents, and brother, Hadden Kelly is survived by his uncles, aunts, several cousins, and the entire family.
His family has yet to provide details about Hadden’s funeral and memorial services.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Late Hadden Kelly excelled in both basketball and golf at Dodge County High School.
- He played as a center in the boys’ varsity basketball team and was set to graduate from high school in 2027.
- Hadden Kelly was playing golf in the GSCA Junior Tour.
