Michael J. Kelley

Michael Joseph Kelley, 76, of Alexandria, VA, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 after a brief but courageous battle with Cancer. Mike was born in Washington, DC to Maurice and Margaret Kelley on August 9, 1944. He grew up in Arlington, Virginia and graduated from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, and Wheeling Jesuit College in Wheeling, West Virginia. Mike also earned his Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technology from the George Washington University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Mike was drafted by the US Army and was assigned to duty tours in the US, Germany, and Korea before returning to Virginia to begin his 42-year career with the Defense Logistics Agency. After his retirement from the DLA, he served as a volunteer at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, an experience he absolutely loved. He was also an Army Reservist, retiring as a Major with over 26 years of service, including nine overseas tours of duty. A lifelong fanatic of all DC sports teams, Mike successfully indoctrinated his three daughters as die-hard fans as well, through many experiences at the Washington Capitals, the team formerly known as the Redskins, and eventually the Nationals. He was thrilled with the Nats’ World Series Championship, as he often lamented the departure of the original Washington Senators team. His hope sprung eternal that the former Redskins would once again recapture their glory days. Mike was an avid Motorsport and car enthusiast. He traveled the US and the world attending various kinds of Motorsport events and participating in Car Guy Tours. He had a particular love of Formula 1 and distributed weekly emails throughout every Formula 1 season for several years up until his death. Anyone who knew Mike knows he was a true foodie and his extensive global travels made him an endless resource for travel tips. If you needed a restaurant recommendation in any city, in any country, he could likely give you one - along with a play-by-play description of the meal he had there! He spent many years participating in the Cameron Station softball league and was a member of a weekly bowling league. And of course, he was an ardent fan and supporter of all his daughters’ various academic, athletic and musical activities. Mike is greatly missed by his children, Kathleen, Debi, and Eileen, his son-in-law Randy, and his grandchildren Anne-Catherine, Charlie, and Ian. He is also survived by his siblings and their families – Mary (John and Sharon), Tom (Phyllis, Brian and Johnny), Joe (Linda), brother-in-law Dave (Patrick, Mike, Sue) and his former wife Mitzi. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Cathie, and it provides some comfort to know they are all together. Services for Mike will be held on May 12th with a funeral mass at 10am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria; Burial at Arlington National Cemetery at 3pm; and a Celebration of Life at 4pm at O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Pub. Please join the family to raise a glass and share your memories. Flowers and correspondence may be delivered to Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA; notes to the family and memories can also be shared online at murphyfuneralhomes.com. Mike was extremely fond of the Fisher House Foundation and donations in his memory are welcome at www.fisherhouse.org.