Dr. John Philip Kelley's Obituary
Dr. John Philip Kelley, 88 years old, of Cortland, OH, formerly of San Diego, CA, died March 13, 2018 at Ohio Living Lake Vista Nursing Home. He was born August 6, 1929 in Chicago, IL, a son of the late Philip Francis Kelley and the late Ellen Bresnan Kelley.
John graduated from York Community High School in Elmhurst, IL where he was a member of the 1947 Illinois State Champion Track & Field team. He went on to study at St. Procopius College and then Loyola University School of Dentistry in Chicago where he graduated in 1954. John retired as a Captain from the US Navy after 33 years of service during the Korean and Viet Nam Wars. His military career included time with a MASH unit in Korea and duty on board the USS Currituck and the USS Isle Royale. Several other highlights of his career included being the commanding officer of all the US Navy Dental Clinics in the Asian/Pacific Theatre and, after returning to the United States, starting a pilot program in Oceanside California that provided dental screening for elementary age school children. John was a very health conscious individual all of his life, participating in several marathons. In his later years, he became an avid cyclist riding his bike 40 to 50 miles along the California coastline.
John had married the former Barbara Jane Kenny on August 27, 1955. They raised 6 children and enjoyed 47 years of marriage together until her passing in September of 2002. John especially enjoyed playing golf with his wife after his retirement. He was a member of Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church in University City, San Diego, California as well as Blessed Sacrament Church in Warren, Ohio.
Left to cherish his memories are 3 daughters: Dr. Eileen (Dr. Tom Neuman) Kelley of Warren, OH, Dr. Barbara (Eric) Mostardi of Pleasanton, CA, and Stacey (Ray) Hartman of Great Falls, MT, 3 sons: Kevin Kelley of TX, Tom (Susan) Kelley of Moreno Valley, CA, and Chris (Kris) Kelley of Rancho Bernardo, CA, along with 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Ellen (Walter) Gajcak of Chicago, Il, and two sister in laws; Eileen Curran Kelley of Virginia Beach, VA and Eileen (Vince) Lupo of Littleton, CO. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother Dr. Michael Kelley and a sister Phyllis Holtmeyer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church, 3131 Governor Drive. San Diego, CA 92122 at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 7,2018. Burial will bE AT 1:00 pm Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego, CA.
The family requests that material contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, at Alzheimer’s.org or Catholic Charities of Youngstown, in his memory.
The arrangements have been entrusted to the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home. and Clairemont Mortuary. Family and friends may view this obituary and/or send condolences by visiting our website at carlwhall.com or clairemontmortuary.com
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