Kenneth Joel Kelly's Obituary
Mr. Kenneth Joel Kelly, USAF Ret'd, 87, of Gainesville, Florida, died Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the E. T. York Hospice Care Center, following a long illness.
Mr. Kelly was born on January 14, 1933 to the late Herman and Ollie Kelly in Atlanta, Georgia. He spent most of his youth in Sumter, SC, and soon after graduating high school, joined the U. S. Air Force, where he remained until his retirement in 1973 after over 20 years of service. After his retirement, he settled in Bakersfield, California and then worked for many years for the city of Bakersfield. Mr. Kelly was of the Baptist faith, and had been very active in his church, was a member of the Shrine Club and was a civil war reenactor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Mae Kelly. Mr. Kelly came to Gainesville in 2010, to spend his remaining years close to his beloved sister.
He is survived by his sister, Betty Lou Holland, of Gainesville, and a host of nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:00 A. M., in Memorial Park West, with Pastor Alan Struckmeyer, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Gainesville Fisher House Foundation, Post Office Box 358296, Gainesville, FL 32635.
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