Peter Walter Kellen

Peter Walter Kellen passed away on December 1, 2025, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease, chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer. He died peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC at the age of 78.

Peter was born on April 13, 1947, and raised in Charlotte, NC. He was the son of the late Henry Walter Kellen and Florence Barksdale Kellen. Peter graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte and received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1969 where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. To avoid being drafted, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Lejeune. Peter served as an MP, which was instrumental in his decision to apply to the FBI Academy. He was recruited in 1973, and his first assignment was in Savannah, GA. His second assignment took them to Washington, D.C. where he served until 1985. While in the FBI, he attended law school at George Mason University. He moved his family to Cary, NC in August of 1985 and became a Federal Prosecutor for the Eastern District of NC. Peter retired from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2004.

Peter loved music (especially the Beach Boys & Motown), his black cat (Little Man), camping, shooting, sports cars, and any project for which he could buy a new tool.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Watts Kellen; daughter, Kristin Kellen Johnson “Kristi” and husband Clint of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Kellen James Johnson and Claire Elizabeth Johnson of Raleigh, Olivia Jane Kellen of Siler City; brother Stephen Kellen of Louisburg, NC; Sister-in-law, Bonnie Winecoff; Brother-in-law, Kerry Watts; Nieces, Carrie Shevelson, Amy Stephenson, and Jenny Alexander; Nephew, Josh Kellen.

Along with his parents, Peter was preceded in death by his two sons, Stephen Michael “Mike” Kellen and David Jonathan Kellen.

Psalm 103; Number 6:24

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association @ alz.org or Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000.

A visitation will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, located at 200 SE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27511, December 7, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

A committal service will take place at Wake Memorial Park, 7002 Green Hope School Rd, Cary, NC 27519, on December 8, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.