John Raymond Kelly Jr.

Lieutenant General John Raymond Kelly, Jr., USA Retired, 84, of Shelbyville passed away Friday, June 26, 2009 at his home. Born October 8, 1924, in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of John Raymond and Fannie Minnetta (Long) Kelly. He married Genevieve (Spurling) Savage on July 24, 1976, and she survives. Survivors include his daughters, Gwendolyn J. Keller and Leah D. Knight both of Shelbyville; son, John C. (wife, Janice) Savage of Lakeland, Florida; grandchildren, Roxanna Kelly of Coral Springs, Florida Genevie L. Willmy, Steven J. Willmy and Christian Kramer all of Shelbyville. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Minnetta Long Straney; and son, John Roger Kelly. General Kelly began his military career in 1943, during World War II, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and entered aviation cadet training. He was a B-29 bomber pilot in the Pacific from 1945 through 1947. General Kelly completed his 36 years of service to his country in May 1979; when he retired as Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics and Engineering Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington, D. C. He graduated from Overbrook High School in Philadelphia and attended Drexel Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of Air Tactical School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. General Kelly was a member of First United Methodist Church. For ten years General Kelly served as president of the Board of Aviation at our Shelby County Airport. He enjoyed family and friends, church fellowship (studying and teaching), reading, travel, gardening and renovation and restoration of antique furniture and homes. Calling will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St., with a memorial service at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Alan Rumble officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church Music Fund.