 I first met John Kelley on the second of July of 1962.  Fresh out of college, it was my first day of work at the NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland.  John was given the task to be my mentor, part of that “ and other duties assigned” section  in everyone’s job description.  For many years  our desks were next to each other’s, and we shared a telephone. 
John had many friends scattered around the many buildings that made up the Research Center, and I often tagged along with him while he made the rounds to see them.  John had a deal someplace where he could buy Craig Audio Tape Recorders at wholesale prices.   It was on these trips around the Center that he would do most of his business selling them.  If you bought a recorder from John and something happened to it, he would do his best to fix it.  
John was an avid golfer.   The day after a NASA League weekly golf outing, all day long, one by one, many of  his fellow golfers would stop by his desk and replay every hole played the day before.  I never played the game, and one afternoon , we both  took off  a couple hours annual leave  and John took me to a nine-hole golf course.  John pounded the ball from tee to green, while I rolled my ball along for nine holes.  We did not replay every hole the next day.
The last time I saw John was his last day working for NASA in April of 1979.   I tagged along with him as we walked around the Center saying goodbye to his friends.  As we were completing the trip, I wished him well in his retirement, and said I hope you come back and visit us here often.  His respond took me by surprise when  he replied that he was never coming back. I don’t think there was any bitterness in his response, just that he wanted to get on with his new life. 
John ….  thanks for being a friend.

Ron Chucksa

   


Uncle Johnny leaves so many memories of generosity and hospitality among my family members. He always had a big handsome smile for me and my kids. From feeding us in the lovely home he shared with Aunt Jean and Karen and Jane, to giving my children a keyboard so they could easily practice their piano skills, Johnny always thought of others' comfort and happiness. He was especially kind to my mother, Florence Boyce, in her elderly years. I had many uncles, but Johnny was my last one. Now, out of all those wonderful uncles who fought the Second WW and came home to build a nation, I have none. Although they are all gone, I consider myself fortunate to have known men like John P. Kelley. 

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OBITUARIO

John Pershing Kelley

3 septiembre, 1918 – 18 noviembre, 2021

Metrocrest Funeral Home & Hilltop Memorial Park

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