John Joseph Kelly Jr.

1920 - 2017

John Joseph Kelly Jr. obituary, 1920-2017, Dumfries, VA

BORN

1920

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria

520 South Washington Street

Alexandria, Virginia

John Kelly Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 15, 2017.

John Joseph Kelly, Jr. died peacefully at the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, Alexandria, VA on May 13, 2017 at the age of 96.
John is survived by his children, Pam Deeter (Tom) Houston , TX, Patrick Kelly (Janice) Marietta, OH, and John Kelly (Jodie, Fiancée) Montclair, VA; 5 grandchildren, Patrick James Kelly, Kristel Kelly Luczak (Ron), Katelyn Kelly, Julie Deeter, and Merrilee Deeter Colunga (Jacob); 5 great grandchildren, Colton Luczak, Mason Luczak, Jackson Luczak, Isabelle Luczak, and Lily Colunga. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Elizabeth Kelly, his sister, Jeanine Colen, and his parents.
John was born on November 29, 1920 in Golbey, Vosges, France to John J and Louise Kelly. He graduated from United States Military Academy, West Point in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. He married his wife Rita in 1943 in Central Islip, NY. They were married for almost 72 years. He was assigned to the 204 Engineer Combat Battalion, then the 1103 Engineer Combat Group which departed for the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in December 1943. As Asst S3 and S3 he received the ETO ribbon with 5 battle stars. Returned and attended State University of Iowa with a Master of Science Degree in 1947. John was an ROTC Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh for 3 years. He went to Austria in 1950 for assignment with the 70 Engineer C Battalion and Engineer Section HQUSFA. Returned December 1951. From 1952 – 1956 he was with the NY District Corps of Engineers as Resident Engineer supervising construction for reactivating Fort Terry on Plum Island off eastern Long Island, NY. As a guest of the Air Force, moved to Goose Bay, Labrador for two years to direct the construction of Radar Sites and Air Base facilities. Then he spent two years in Monterey, CA at the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Master of Science Degree in Nuclear Physics. Promoted to LTC in July 1959, he was assigned to Fort Ord, CA as Commanding Officer of the 84th Engineer Battalion. From 1961 to 1963 he worked in the Office of the Corps of Engineers in the Civil Defense Support Group. John served a year as the Deputy Director of the Army Nuclear Power Program. John received a number of awards during his service in the Army including the Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medals, World War II Victory Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Medal. John retired from the Army in June 1964. He joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as an engineer in the Apollo Lunar Landing Program. He also served as the Director of Budget and Control for the Apollo Program and the Chief of Spacelab Program Support. John retired from NASA on October 2, 1981 after 17 years.
John was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5998 and a 4th Degree Knight in Assembly No. 2204, Alexandria, VA.
John was also an avid golfer and had played at St Andrews Links, Scotland. John and Rita traveled to Ireland for many years to visit relatives.

John and his family had moved and lived in a number of locations with the military before settling in Alexandria, VA. John has resided at The Fairfax at Belvoir Woods for a few years prior to his recent illness.
A visitation will be held at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St, Alexandria, VA on May 18, 2017 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Louis Catholic Church, 2907 Popkins Lane, Alexandria VA on Friday, May 19, 2017 at 12:30 pm, with a reception to follow at St Louis Walsh Hall. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday, October 12, 2017. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John Kelly's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St Louis Catholic Church, 2907 Popkins Lane, Alexandria VA. Condolences can be sent to, www.demainefuneralhomes.com. The family would like to thank all The FAIRFAX staff for their support and efforts during his residency.


Arrangements under the direction of Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for John Kelly

Sponsored by Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria.

What is your first memory of John?

Share a favorite memory you have of John.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with John.

Describe a time when John made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about John?

Talk about a shared experience you had with John.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of John.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving John.

What is something you learned from John?

Not sure what to say?

November 7, 2017

John thanks for your service form one vet to another. Jim

May 20, 2017

Thorne Vicki

I am so sorry for your loss. I have such wonderful memories of John. After Al Ryan and John retired, Wayne Richie and I would meet them for lunch and catch up on all the family and talk tall tales. May he rest in peace with his precious wife Rita. He was a kind and devoted friend.

May 17, 2017

Jean Rockwell

My husband and I met John a few years ago at the Fairfax. Almost immediately, I became aware of his many fine traits - so caring of his family and all those around him. John always showed concern for others. He and my husband, Fred Rockwell, shared the West Point bond and engineering background. John had an impressive career and his family should be proud of what he did and who he was. He was truly a wonderful man and will be missed. With deepest sympathy, Jean Rockwell

May 17, 2017

Diana Catloth Richardson

It was such a pleasure working with him in The Office of Manned Spae Flight. RIP

May 17, 2017

Deborah Ingram

Prayers out to your family at this time of sorrow. A life well lived needs to be celebrated everyday.

May 16, 2017

Joe Graham

John,
My sympathies for your loss. Your Dad was an amazing man and I know you loved him very much. I hope you and all your family can take some solice at knowing he is in God's care now and look forward to an eventual reunion in a brighter place. I'll ask my Dad to stop by and have a cup of coffee with him!

May 15, 2017

Pat: So sorry to hear of your father's passing. My thoughts are with you and Janice and the rest of your family at this time.
Rose Woomer

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in John Kelly's name

Memorial Events
for John Kelly

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Demaine Funeral Home - Alexandria

520 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

How to support John's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor John Kelly's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more