Where Is Machine Gun Kelly Buried - A Notorious Figure's Final Rest

Many folks, you know, find themselves curious about the past, especially when it involves figures who truly made a mark, even if that mark was a bit on the wrong side of the law. One name that often pops up in conversations about Prohibition-era outlaws is Machine Gun Kelly. There's a real mystique about these old-time characters, and it's not uncommon for people to wonder about their final resting places, like, where is Machine Gun Kelly buried, after all these years?

For someone who lived a life that was, in some respects, quite loud and full of dramatic events, his last stop on this earth might surprise you a little. It's almost as if the quietness of his burial contrasts rather sharply with the noise he created while he was alive. We're talking about a person whose very nickname conjured up images of rapid-fire action and bold escapades, yet his grave is, well, pretty simple.

So, if you've ever thought about visiting the spot where a famous, or perhaps infamous, individual from history is laid to rest, then sticking with us here might just give you some interesting insights. We'll take a look at the life of George Kelly Barnes, the man behind the machine gun moniker, and eventually point you to the exact spot where is Machine Gun Kelly buried, offering a peek into the place that holds his earthly remains.

Table of Contents

George Kelly Barnes - A Glimpse Into His Life

Before he became a name whispered with a mix of fear and strange fascination, George Kelly Barnes was just a person, born into a rather well-to-do family. You know, it's pretty wild to think that someone from such a background could end up on the wrong side of the law in such a big way. His early years, apparently, didn't really hint at the path he'd eventually choose. He wasn't, say, a standout scholar; in fact, his school records suggest he was, to be honest, a pretty poor student. His best mark, it's said, was a C+ in personal hygiene, which, you know, gives you a little picture of his academic efforts.

He went through public schools, like many kids do, and then tried his hand at higher education, enrolling at Mississippi State University. But, as is sometimes the case with people who eventually become famous for other reasons, his time there didn't quite pan out. This early part of his life, before he became known for his criminal actions, is a bit less talked about, yet it's where the seeds of his later notoriety were, in a way, probably sown. It just goes to show that even those who become figures of legend start out in fairly ordinary circumstances, which is quite something to consider.

What Was George Kelly Barnes's Early Background?

George Kelly Barnes, as we touched on, came from a family with money, a rather comfortable start in life for someone who would later be known as a notorious lawbreaker. His given name was George Barnes, and he was born into this setting. You know, it's often surprising how individuals from seemingly stable beginnings can end up taking very different routes. He was a student, but not one who excelled in his studies, which is, honestly, a pretty common thing for many kids, but in his case, it perhaps pointed to a restlessness or a lack of interest in traditional paths. His highest grade, that C+ in personal hygiene, is a detail that often gets a little chuckle, but it does, in a way, paint a picture of his time in school.

After going through the usual public school system, he did attempt to continue his education, signing up at Mississippi State University. However, the details are a bit hazy, but it seems his university experience was short-lived or simply didn't lead to a degree. This period of his life, before he truly made a name for himself in the criminal world, is, in some respects, just a quiet prelude. It's almost as if he was figuring things out, moving through life without a clear direction, until he stumbled into the activities that would define his public image and lead to the question of where is Machine Gun Kelly buried today.

How Did "Machine Gun Kelly" Get His Name?

So, you might be wondering, how does a person named George Barnes end up with a nickname like "Machine Gun Kelly"? Well, apparently, it was pretty straightforward, really. His colorful, rather striking nickname was given to him based on his chosen piece of equipment, a particular type of rapid-fire firearm. This weapon became, in a way, his calling card, the thing that made him stand out in the rather crowded field of lawbreakers during the Prohibition era. It's like, he wasn't just any criminal; he was the one with that specific, loud tool.

What truly pushed him into the spotlight, making him a figure of considerable notoriety, was a very specific event in 1933. He, along with his group, kidnapped a wealthy oil tycoon named Charles Urschel. This was a really big deal at the time. They managed to get a huge sum of money, two hundred thousand dollars, as a ransom for Urschel's safe return. This act, you know, really put him on the map, not just for the public, but for the authorities, too. It earned him a rather significant and unwanted place in the history books of the FBI, making him a truly well-known, if feared, person across the country. It's kind of amazing how one major crime can cement a person's image in the public mind for generations, leading to questions like where is Machine Gun Kelly buried even now.

What Happened to Machine Gun Kelly After His Capture?

After the Urschel kidnapping and the subsequent pursuit by law enforcement, George Kelly Barnes, the man everyone knew as Machine Gun Kelly, was eventually caught. His capture marked a pretty significant turning point in his life, moving him from the free, if dangerous, existence of a lawbreaker to the confined walls of the prison system. For a good long stretch, seventeen years to be exact, he was held at Alcatraz, that famous island prison, known for being a very tough place to be. He was inmate number 117 there, which, you know, just sounds like a small, rather insignificant detail in such a large, imposing structure.

While he was locked up, he apparently couldn't help but talk about his past. He would, in a way, brag about his old escapades, making them sound even bigger and more exciting than they probably were, to the other people held there with him. It's almost as if he wanted to keep that image of the daring outlaw alive, even behind bars. Then, in 1951, he was quietly moved from Alcatraz and sent back to Leavenworth, another well-known prison. This transfer was, you know, a pretty low-key affair, especially for someone who had once been such a loud figure. His time in prison, especially those many years, definitely took a toll on him, leading eventually to his passing while still in custody. It’s a rather stark end for a person who once lived so loudly.

Personal Details and Bio Data of George Kelly Barnes
Full NameGeorge Kelly Barnes
Known AsMachine Gun Kelly
Born AsGeorge Barnes
Nickname OriginBased on his preferred weapon (a machine gun)
Key CrimeKidnapping of oil tycoon Charles Urschel (1933)
Ransom Received$200,000
ImprisonmentAlcatraz (Inmate #117) for 17 years, then Leavenworth
Date of DeathJuly 18, 1954 (his 54th birthday)
Cause of DeathHeart attack
Place of DeathLeavenworth Prison, Kansas
Burial LocationCottondale Cemetery, Cottondale, Texas
Grave SiteKathryn Kelly's stepfather's family plot (Shannon family plot)
Headstone InscriptionGeorge B. Kelly 1954 (small, simple)

Where is Machine Gun Kelly Buried - The Story of His Final Resting Place

Now, to the core of our discussion: where is Machine Gun Kelly buried? After a life filled with dramatic turns, including his capture and many years spent behind prison walls, George Kelly Barnes passed away from a heart attack. This happened at Leavenworth prison on July 18, 1954, which, you know, was also his 54th birthday. It's a bit of a somber coincidence, isn't it, to pass away on your birthday? His death marked the end of a life that had, in a way, been anything but quiet, yet his burial was quite the opposite.

He was laid to rest in a place that might seem a little out of the way for someone of his national notoriety. You won't find him in some grand, famous cemetery in a big city. Instead, his final spot is in Cottondale, Texas. Specifically, he is buried at Cottondale Cemetery. This location is, in some respects, quite humble, a quiet country cemetery that serves a small community. It’s rather interesting how a person who created so much commotion in life ended up in such a peaceful, unassuming place. This is the simple truth about where is Machine Gun Kelly buried, a spot that sees visitors interested in true crime history.

Who Arranged the Burial and Where is Machine Gun Kelly Buried Precisely?

When George Kelly Barnes passed away in Leavenworth, a rather sad situation arose: nobody from his immediate family came forward to claim his body. This is, honestly, a pretty stark detail, showing how isolated he might have become or perhaps the family's desire to distance themselves from his criminal past. So, the responsibility for his burial fell to his wife Kathryn Kelly's stepfather, a man named Boss Shannon. It was Boss Shannon who made sure that George Barnes was laid to rest, which is, you know, a pretty kind gesture given the circumstances.

So, where is Machine Gun Kelly buried exactly within Cottondale, Texas? He is interred in Cottondale Cemetery, and more precisely, he rests within his wife Kathryn's family's plot. This is the Shannon family plot, which is, in a way, quite close to where Boss Shannon himself is buried, between his first two wives, Icy and Maude. It’s a family grouping, even if George was only connected by marriage. This spot, marked by a small headstone, is a quiet corner in the cemetery, a place where visitors can reflect on the life of a person who once caused such a stir. It's quite something to think that after all his wild escapades, his final home is in a quiet family plot in a small Texas town.

The Headstone's Appearance Where is Machine Gun Kelly Buried

For someone who was, you know, such a prominent figure in the criminal underworld, you might expect a rather grand or at least a somewhat detailed marker for his grave. But the reality of the headstone where is Machine Gun Kelly buried is quite different. It's a small, very simple stone. It simply reads "George B. Kelly 1954." That's it. There are no long epitaphs, no grand declarations, just his name, an initial, and the year he passed away. This simplicity, in a way, seems to underscore the quiet end to a very loud life.

Many people who visit or hear about his grave often wonder why his headstone is so plain. It’s almost as if the lack of fanfare on his grave mirrors the quiet way his body was claimed and buried, without the immediate family stepping forward. This small, unassuming marker in a small-town cemetery stands in stark contrast to the dramatic stories and the larger-than-life image he had during his criminal days. It’s a pretty humble memorial for a person who once held the attention of the entire country, and it truly shows the understated spot where is Machine Gun Kelly buried.

The History of Cottondale Cemetery - The Spot Where is Machine Gun Kelly Buried

The Cottondale Cemetery, the very place where is Machine Gun Kelly buried, has a history that stretches back quite a bit further than the notorious gangster's time. Established in

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