Name: Joseph Gawler's Sons, LLC
Address: Washington, DC

One of the finest.   A true gentleman. We were blessed to have him. For those who served under him we experienced the best the Marine Corps had to offer. 

I wish to offer my belated condolences to General Kelley's family on his passing. I had the privilege of being his photographer at Headquarters, Marine Corps from 1983 to 1986. 

He was a Marine who loved his Corps and his country and he conveyed those core values to everyone he met every time. Whenever we would meet, he would always ask how things were going and he made you feel that your honest answer was the most important thing in the world to him at that moment.  His autographed official CMC photo remains one of my most cherished possessions.

One of the great honors of my life is that I served with this General.  May God rest and bless his spirit and bring continued comfort to his family

I am sending my belated condolences on the passing of General Kelley. I sometimes lack the words to express proper condolences but his presence was larger than life to me. I was a young Private when I first met Commandant Kelley at Marine Barracks Sigonella, Sicily Naval Air Station in 1985. He was my first Commandant and I will never forget him. I was still in high school when the Marines were attacked in Beirut and it was a motivating factor for me to join the Marines. His leadership and measured words always made sense and I will never forget when he said, Eight days after the attack, appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, he said it was “not the place of a Marine” to question the vaguely defined mission of the corps to provide a stabilizing presence. But, he declared, “Let me tell you that presence as a mission is not in any military dictionary.” Throughout my 24 years in the Marines I would always tell my Marines we are here to do something, so let’s make it happen! GOD gave us all a gift in him. My best wishes to all the family and GOD BLESS.

Respectfully 

Jeffery H. Hankins

General Kelley was a true gentleman and patriot. He was very kind to me in a number of circumstances that did not require his personal involvement with a junior field grade officer. He loved his Marines, his Corps, and his Country. I mourn his passing and  will always honor his memory. 

There simply was no better Marine than General PX Kelly.  To receive my commission from him was an honor. He treated everyone throughout his career with dignity and honor. He mentored me when I needed it most. I have always been grateful for his guidance. To his family... thank you for giving us a wonderful human being, a Marines Marine and a great American !

I am so grateful to have had PX Kelley as a friend and mentor.  I worked with General Kelley in the 90's when he and I served on the board of the Cassidy Companies.  I had the privilege of spending many hours with PX in our offices and on travel.  It was Paul X Kelley the civilian who taught me about business and leadership.  I greatly admired his straight forward no BS Boston approach  ( being from up the pike in Portland Maine)

We shared our Irish heritage and our Catholic upbringing.  The stories he told me about Mrs Barbara and Chris were filled with love and pride.  It has been an honor for me to know you PX.  I know that you looked forward to your reunion with your mother and dad.  The many marines you worked for and with and those that were lost at a young age.  Go easy on the Saints...continue to be one of the few, the proud, a Marine...   God Bless you ! and your family.

“Good Morning William!”  So began each morning General P.X. Kelley visited the Saul Centers headquarter offices as one of the company’s original Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee.  It was my honor to support and work with the Marine legend for over 20 years, providing him with materials and discussion in preparation for his meetings.  General Kelley regularly rode the Metro trains to our Bethesda office and always arrived at least an hour ahead of the scheduled meeting time.  Meetings started on time, adhered to the agenda and routinely included an equal amount of critique and appreciation.   General Kelley’s many stories evidenced his devotion to God and Country, his love for his mother, wife and daughter, Villanova University and the many men and women who serve in the United States Marine Corps.  Semper Fi!    Oorah General P. X. Kelley!

The FBI and Marine Corps share a very special relationship, far beyond the training grounds of Quantico.

So was the case when I served as FBI director and PX was commandant . We shared many experiences, both professional and personal. We worked together, we played together .

A man of unquestioned  integrity, I admired  PX Kelley’s commitment to  country, fealty to his Marines and deep love of family.  

My wife Lynda joins me in expressing our profound sadness in his death, but also our confidence that Heaven is probably running far more precisely now.... 

General Kelley was Commandant of the Marine Corps when I served from 1984-1988.  General Kelley personally addressed an issue I was having with my enlistment contract when it was brought to him by his assistant Capt. Lynn Stutler.  He remained in the loop of the inquiry by his own choice and after input from his chief of staff restored my enlistment contract to its original form.  No detail was too small for his attention.  He was a man of conviction and great honor and I love him for what he did for me.    

I worked for General Kelley in 1987-1988. I was a lieutenant in the United States  Marine Corps at the time. I was stationed at Marine Barracks 8th & I, as the Physical Security Officer  and  Guard Officer. I was the first Physical Security Officer assigned to the barracks. It was a very difficult and complicated assignment. Terrorism was rampant and the barracks security needed to be hardened. I had several occasions to speak directly to General Kelley as we both lived on the barracks compound . He was always direct, insightful, and thought provoking. Many years later, after I experienced PTSD from some trauma suffered in the military, General Kelley, found out about it and his actions literally saved my life.  I will forever be indebted to him. He was an exceptionally fine senior officer and an outstanding human being.  He will be sorely missed. God bless and Semper Fidelis.

Captain Robert Rhames 


A Marines, Marine!  One of the finest Marine Officers I had the pleasure of serving under.  His dedication, love for country and Corp was unquestionable.  My deepest condolences to his family.  He will truly be missed!

Continued from earlier submission . . .  alongside Albert Sweitzer selflessly caring for victims of leprosy in the jungle, for founding the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation fostering leadership skills for nearly 500,000 high school students (including luminaries such as Governor Mike Huckabee) from over 75 countries and for his successful acting career in television and in films, including his superb performance as the legendary Wyatt Earp.  Beloved and respected by many, P.X. was a man of mark who directly and indirectly by inspiring others, helped make America and the world better.      Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones from the entire leadership of the Atlantic Legal Foundation and from my family . . .   H.D. Fisk, Chmn. & Pres. ALF

For over 30 years, each year the Atlantic Legal Foundation has recognized and honored a great American, including distinguished CEO's of Fortune 500 Companies,  government and  professional leaders of the highest caliber, among them US Cabinet Officers, an Ambassador, a Governor, a NYC Mayor, US Senators and others of renown, most notably Marine Corp Commandant, first Commander of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force in 1979 and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General P.X. Kelley, who was honored by Atlantic Legal in 1999 as its leader of the year.  General Kelley remained a dedicated supporter of the Atlantic Legal Foundation until he passed on Sunday, December 29, 2019.  I first met General Kelley in the mid to late 1980's when we were seated next to each other at a gala dinner hosted by Lebanese Ambassador Bouhabib and his wife, Julie, at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington DC, followed by a professional variety show at the Kennedy Center, MC'd by Danny Thomas and featuring all Lebanese performers from high opera to ethnic folk music . . . quite memorable !  P.X.'s endearing humility, infectious good nature, integrity, unflinching courage, strength of character, empathy for worthy others, and astute dedication to America and our Constitution, forged a personal friendship that endured for the many years that followed until his departure. I was privileged to be his friend and share many memorable, constructive private telephone conversations with him.  I helped him with his work in recent years as chairman of a task force refurbishing and embellishing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas . . . not far from my hometown of Salina, Kansas.  And, P.X. and his lovely daughter, Chris Kelley Cimko, helped me compose a heartwarming letter in April of 2015 signed by P.X. on his 4 Star stationery to our mutual friend, the late Hugh O'Brian, commending Hugh for his service as the youngest drill sergeant in the history of the Marine Corp, for his work etc

RIP General PX Kelley, one of the greatest and bravest men I ever knew.

A true American hero and my friend.

 

May the soft earth be a cushion in his present rest.

Goodnight General, take your rest. For we will see you in the morning. You took our Corps to higher levels. 
Top Dixon, USMC (Ret) Marine Corps Funeral Director 

A Joy to spend time with General P.X. Kelley in the last week of his earthly assignment.  A joy to talk with him and to meet him.  A joy to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law and grand-daughter that day, a week before his passing.  General, thank you for laying down your life for our beloved country and for your life well lived. Love you and your family.  Pastor Dr. William Devlin, US Navy 1970-74, combat-decorated Purple Heart Vietnam veteran (21 June 1972). God bless and St. John 3:16 all the way!

Dearest Kelley and Cimko Family,  
My heartfelt condolences go out to you for this great loss.  PX was a giant of a man who impacted every gathering he attended.  I was fortunate to have spent some time with PX after his USMC retirement over meals, in various business offices and, most treasured, in the field trying to out gun him while game bird hunting.  Life will be different now without my two favorites hunting buddies, PX Kelley and Phil Bonanno, but I do realize how very fortunate I was to have enjoyed the time I had with them, separately and together.  Woodmont Club and Pawling Mountain Club will never be the same! 
Rest well, Dear Friend!  
Respectfully, Ted Kratovil, Arlington, Virginia

I would to extend my deepest sympathies to the Kelly Family.

Personally, I did not know, General Kelly.  But a good and dear friend, the late, Judge Don Higginbotham served under General Kelly and they remained friends until Don’s passing.
Don happily shared his latest phone conversations with General Kelly and always looked forward with visits with General Kelly when he would travel to D.C. for Marine Corps reunions.

I know that Don greatly respected the general and thought of him not just as a former commanding officer, but also a good friend and even as family.  

Thank you, General Kelly for your service and love of country.  

God Bless Mrs. Kelly and family

When I look back on my ten years in the Corps - the latter five of which included my service with General Kelley (Personal/Social Secretary) as the Assistant Commandant (upon his arrival from McDill AFB) and then as Commandant (Social Secretary) - there was no higher honor for me than to work for General P.X. Kelley and get to know his family that I still very much feel a part of today.  This gentleman of a General was more of a father figure to me than any other.  There was no finer Leader, or "Boss", that I could have worked for throughout my entire  career/life.  Those five years were the highlight of my tour in the Corps.  Chris, John, Lexie, Mrs. Kelley...my heart goes out to you all and I keep you in my prayers as you traverse through this most difficult time.  He made such a lasting impression on my outlook on Life, and, I mourn with each one of you, the passing of this great Leader of Marines.  May God wrap His loving arms around you.  With deepest and heartfelt sympathy,  All my Love.   Sharon

I served as Receptionist to the Commandant for General Kelley from 1983 until 1985.  He performed the ceremonies of my promotion to Staff Sergeant and my reenlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps.  I was so proud to serve each day in that office.  He was a great Marine and a wonderful person.  Years later, I was visiting a friend in Arlington, VA when I learned General and Mrs Kelley lived in the same building.  I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see him again, although I wasn’t sure he would even remember me after all.  I gathered all my courage and knocked on his door.  General  Kelley answered the door and when I told him who I was, he smiled, gave me a big hug and told me to come in.  His wife was there and remembered me.  It was a wonderful, precious visit I will treasure all my life. All my love and prayers to the family.  God bless you!

I served under Gen. Kelley as a member of the Silent Drill Team at 8th & I Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.. I remember the activation of barracks Marines being transferred to FMF after the infamous Beirut bombing. And of course the issuing of orders by P.X. Kelley at every Friday evening parade and Tuesday, Iwo Jima performance will always be memorable. I didn't meet the General personally but was always proud to serve during his watch. Semper Fi and job well done. As the scripture in 1 Corinthians 3:13 states, "..each man's work will become evident, for the day shall declare it..". Ooh Rah 

Serving on staff at Headquarters, Marine Corps under General Kelly was the highlight of my life.  General Kelley had an aura about him—he was so approachable to everyone and always made you feel like you were a special person to him.  

When President Reagan was inaugurated, I ordered commemorative license plate "USMC-1" for his vehicle and dropped them off with the Secretary of the General Staff.  The next day, I got a call from General Kelley asking me to have my picture taken with him.  It was not just a 2-minute "snap and go", General Kelley spent almost 20 minutes with me asking me about my job as the Administrator of the Marine Corps Fire & Rescue Services.  I was thrilled to tell him about my program and all that had been accomplished with my teammates at HQMC.

After he retired, I was trying to get an appointment in the Bush administration.  I banged on doors on Capital Hill and all over Washington.  Dozens promised me help, but almost none materialized.  I called General Kelley at Cassiday and told him what I was trying to do.  He simply said, "give me a few days and I'll get back to you".  He called back a few days later and told me he had some things working.  The process moved slowly with the Transition Team and little information came my way.  Then on a Saturday afternoon in May, I General Kelley called to tell me I would be the next Superintendent of the National Fire Academy.  Dozens had made promises, but only he delivered! 

In the years that followed, I occasionally dropped the General a line or sent a comment to a magazine about a story featuring something that happened on the 28th Commandant's watch.  Inevitably, within days I’d get one of his personal notes handwritten thank you notes full of good wishes.  

General Kelley’s integrity, courage, faith and service to our nation were great inspirations that shaped my life.  But what made him even more special was knowing that he touched so many others in the same way he touched me.


I was photographing a  Military Affairs Luncheon in San Diego back in the late 1970's.  After an excellent speech the General was presented a really nice Bowie knife by the Emcee.  His sense of humor is apparent as he accepted the gift. This has always been on of my favorite photos.

My condolences for your loss.  I met General Kelley in 1993 while we both worked at Cassidy & Associates in Washington, DC.  We had many great conversations about a variety of subjects over a period of a couple years.  During that time I came to understand why individuals were very proud to have served with him over his Marine Corps career.  They just don't make them like him anymore.  I know he will be missed.   

OBITUARY

General P.X. Kelley

11 November, 1928 – 29 December, 2019

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

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