Donald Joseph Kelly
November 11, 1936 ~ March 1, 2014
Donald Joseph Kelly passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014. Born in Brooklyn NY on November 11, 1936, he was the son of the late Joseph and Helen Kelly. He was preceded in death by his brother, James, Joseph and Robert and his son, Robert.
Donald proudly served in the United States Air Force for 20.5 years. He was honored to be selected for the first United States Air Force Academy Honor Guard and Drill Team. He was an Instrument Trainer/Simulator Operator/Technician instructing student pilots for more than 10 years. Transferring into airborne communications, he served in Thailand supporting B-52s and KC-135s. Returning to stateside, he was selected to be a member of the newly formed maintenance group supporting the FB-111 bomber program at Carswell AFB, Texas.
In 1970 he was assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Pearse AFB, NH and reclassified as a Communication Electronic Counter Measure Technician. He was a member of the first FB-111 team to participate in the Strategic Air Commands bombing competition at Fairchild AFB, WA. Prior to retirement in 1976, he was the Deficiency Analyst for Quality Control Maintenance Team. He was sited as the best DA in the command by the MSET Team from Strategic Air Command Headquarters Offutt AFB, NE. Donald received his Batchelors of Science degree from New Hampshire College in 1976 and his Masters in Public Administration from the University of Maine in 1978.
Donald was the first HOME Administrator for the Down East Consortium of Rocky Mount. Before his full time retirement, Don was selected to be the Customer Representative for two aluminum suppliers at the Cummings Rocky Mount Engine Company plant for nine years.
Don leaves behind his loving wife, Laurie Kelly; son, Sean M. Kelly and fianc Jennifer Jackson; son, Keegan Gemmell of Raleigh NC; granddaughters, Nicole, Catherine, Amy, Andrea and Amanda; great grandson, Liam; sisters, Maureen Kelly of Rahway NJ and Helen Adams of Staten Island NY; and brother, Edmund Kelly from Rahway NJ.
The family will receive friends and relatives 7:00pm-9:00pm Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with a rosary at 8:30pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1:00pm Friday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father Tim Meares officiating. In respect to Don's dedication to his church and country, the Knights of Columbus Color Guard will be present and full military honors will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knights of Columbus, c/o OLPHC, 315 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
331 Hammond Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Thursday 3/6, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Service
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church
331 Hammond Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Friday 3/7, 1:00 pm
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I remember the first time I met Jerry. He is the brother of my dear Aunt Helen. I was probably around 12 or 13 and I believe he was in uniform. I remember thinking how proud he was to serve and how handsome he looked in his uniform. He had his journey down he was going to retire young enough to pursue a full life and career. He fulfilled his goals and left his mark. God bless his family. My sympathy and prayers are with you.
To Mr. Don he always had a smile on his face everytime you saw him. Thanks for serving our country you will be truly miss by all who knew him. R.I.P. Mr. Donald Kelly From The Silver Family
So sorry Jerry was on my mind Donald was a really good man my apologies
I remember the first time we were off on a new adventure. We went to mount jefferson in lee Maine. We fell off the t bar at least 5 times until we learned how to use it properly. We made it about 80% up the mountain and both fell off. Unfortunately we fell and were forced to ski down the expert slope. While I had no issue LOL. Dad was 42 and had never snow skied. It was hilarious watching the two green skiers attempt to learn on an expert slope. Luckily we both learned and continued to ski for years to come including our annual trip to Quebec Canada every february. I love and thank you for everything you taught me over the years. Your the reason I have become the man I am today. Your son Sean.
It was always a wonderful Saturday evening when I entered Church and found Don. For years now he would ask why I had not told Brendan to shave before coming to Church. He would tease Brendan about his hair needing to be cut too. Always a great hug or a needed word of encouragement. It seemed as though he knew when it was needed. We will miss you greatly but rejoice knowing that you are with our Lord. Our love, thoughts and prayers for the entire Kelly clan. He talked often about you all. Michelle and Brendan
My sincere condolence to the Kelly family for your loss. Even though I personally didn’t know Donald, I enjoy sharing the Bibles promises about the end of death and the hope for our dead loved ones! These promises bring us comfort and a hope-2 Cor. 13-5! Jehovah God promises that he will swallow up death forever and wipe all the tears of sorrow from all faces-Isa 258! What a wonderful time that will be! Can you just imagine a time when there will be absolutely no more death! A time when we would never hear the sad news of losing a loved one in death! The almighty God Jehovah, doesn’t lie-Titus 11. 2, so we can look forward to that time! The Bible also holds out hope for our loved ones who have died, and this is that we can be reunited with them. Jesus helps us to appreciate that the resurrection hope makes this possible-John 528 29! Jehovah has given his son Jesus the keys to death and the grave, and one day soon Jesus is going to call out to our dead loved ones just as he did his close friend Lazarus, and they will come out the grave-Rev. 118, John 1111-44! What a wonderful time that will be. Please feel free to visit the Jehovah Wittnesses official website http://www.jw.org to read Chapter 7 of the Book What does the Bible Really Teach, Chapter Title Real Hope For Our Loved Ones Who Have Died! When Going on the website, go to publications, then click on BooksBrochures. Type in the book name in the search box. You can Read the book online or you can download it. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at[emailprotected] May your family be comforted!
I will forever remember my Pawpaw Don. He was a very great man. I remember his trips to Alabama such a loving guy. Watching my father Robert and my Pawpaw Don cook the food network could not top them! I was grateful to know such a kind and caring man.
The Bible rightly calls death our enemy.(1 Cor. 1526) But soon our crater promises to end death forever. (Isa. 2518) (Rev. 214,5) This will be fulfilled by means of Gods kingdom- a real government according to (Dan. 244) Mankind has been praying for this kingdom to come, for centuries. Matt. 610) Jesus also promised a resurrection to restore life back to our dead loved ones. (John 5 28, 29) Just imagine how wonderful that will be! I hope reading these simple Bible truths; will bring you comfort & hope from our loving creator Jehovah, as you endure the difficult days ahead. ( 2 Cor. 1 3, 4) (Ps. 83 18