More detail on this person: Edward Lamont
Kelley, age 72, of Fernandina Beach, FL passed
away on Sunday evening, April 14, 2013 at Baptist
Medical Center - Nassau. Born in Dothan, AL, he
was the oldest of two children born to the late,
Dorman Edward and Annie Doris Howard Kelley.
Mr. Kelley was raised in Dothan and was a
graduate of Auburn University, Class of 1966,
where he majored in Political Science. He enlisted
in the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam
Conflict from where he became a highly decorated
military veteran. He served as a Combat
Infantryman and Platoon Leader in the 173rd
Airborne Brigade and flew many missions as a
Helicopter Pilot serving two tours in Vietnam. For
his service in Vietnam, he was awarded four Purple
Hearts, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Presidential
Citations and various weapons expert
Commendations. Upon being honorably discharged,
he and his family settled in Hilliard, FL before
moving to Fernandina Beach in 1984. He later
worked for a short time at White Oak Plantation
and for the Department of Agriculture and as a
substitute teacher in local elementary schools.
Mr. Kelley was a life member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, Post No. 4351 in Fernandina Beach
where he held many leadership positions, to
include, Chaplain, Secretary, member of the
Executive Board and former District Commander.
He was a member of Amelia Lodge No. 47 and the
Scottish Rite Bodies. After fully retiring, Mr.
Kelley, pursued his love of military history,
international travel to; South America, European
countries, attending military reunions in
Australia and scuba diving off the Great Barrier
Reef. For the past ten years, he has been
completely content to stay on the island, making
his regular visits with his companions to O'Kanes,
Sandy Bottoms, The Palace and Baxters. He
leaves behind, his wife, Mary Jo Wright Kelley,
Fernandina Beach, FL, his son, Jesse Matthew and
wife (Brehan) from Clarion, PA. Daughters, Lisa
Kelley, Port St. Joe, FL, Amy Kelley, Dothan, AL,
Leigh Laney, Dothan, AL his granddaughter Lauren
Laney Smith and her husband Travis Smith and
their daughter, his great granddaughter Mia
Alexander Smith. Also left behind is Ed's sister,
Donna Howell (Mike), Dothan, AL, a nephew, John
Palmer Howell and a niece, Claudia Sullivan. The
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on
Monday, April 22, 2013 at St. Michael Catholic
Church of Fernandina Beach with Reverend Jose
Kallukalum, officiating. Mr. Kelley will be laid
to rest at 2:30 pm on Monday, at Jacksonville
National Cemetery with full military honors. His
family will receive friends on Sunday from 1:30 -
3:30 pm in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley Heard
Funeral Home. The Vigil for the deceased will be
held at 2:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home,
with Deacon Art Treadwell of St. Michael Catholic
Church, officiating. Please share his life story
atwww.oxleyheard.com. Heard Funeral Directors
(904)-261-3644are in charge of arrangements. Sign
a guestbook at www.dothaneagle.com
Published in Dothan Eagle from April 16 to April
19, 2013
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association