Mike Kelly on walk-around demo

Michael E Kelly showed his colours as a sales and product training manager and was affectionately referred to as "Coach Kelly". Kelly, 73, died at his Tustin home on 26 October.

Kelly grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, attended Butler University there and served in the US Army, achieving the rank of sergeant.

He represented the Hyster and Clark brands in the forklift industry for 17 years and, in 1981, joined Toyota forklifts as a regional manager for the mid-west. Later, he became sales and product training manager for Toyota Material Handling USA Inc (TMHU), creating a sales training regime called "boot camp".

"At that time, the training was considered the best in the industry, and his legacy continues to influence our training today," says Brett Wood, TMHU president. "He also influenced me as I personally learned a tremendous amount about the material handling industry from Mike."

Kelly's military "experience surely influenced his focus for the boot camp sales training program," Wood notes.

Kelly retired in 2003.

He is survived by a son, a daughter and two grandsons. The family plans to hold a January celebration of Kelly's life and suggests sending memorial contributions to the California office of the Lupus Foundation of America, 400 Corporate Pointe, Suite 300, Culver City, CA 90230.