Kenneth Maynard O'Kelley

Ken was a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was born on June 23, 1944 to Wallace and Marie O’Kelley in Union City, AL. He was a retired Army First Sergeant with over 29 years of service. He served numerous tours at Ft Bragg, two in Vietnam, one in Dominican Republic, Germany and Desert Storm. He was a master parachutist, demolition expert and combat engineer. He had received many military honors and awards including the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Stars. He was a unique soul who loved golfing, bowling, boating, fishing, exploring the world and playing practical jokes.

Ken is survived by his wife, Jacqueline J. O’Kelley of the home; three daughters: Chris Higgins and husband Stan Pierzchajlo of Rio Grande PR, Chris Holtz and husband David of Greensboro NC, and Teresa O’Kelley and life-partner Desiree of Tucson AZ; two grandsons: Richard and Christopher Lieber; four sisters: Helen McIntosh, Virginia Masak, Faye Johnson and Shirley Harrison; and extended family too many to mention here. He was proceeded in death by both parents; his first wife, Algie B. Kilgore; four brothers: Milton, Herschel, Edward and Jimmy O’Kelley; and sister, Jannett Girsch.

The funeral will be held 11 am on December 5th at Reeves Funeral Home, 3308 N. Main St, Hope Mills with Pastor Brian Kinlaw of Southview Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Adcock Cemetery. Pallbearers are Craig Thompkins Sr., Craig Thompkins Jr., Bryan Thompkins, David Holtz, Henry Eakins and William Provost. Honorary pallbearers are Stan Pierzchajlo, Dennis Lundgren and Norman Steele. The family will receive friends from 7-9 pm on December 4th at Reeves Funeral Home and other times at home.

Thank you to so many of our family and friends for your continued prayers and support during his journey. And a special thanks to the staff and nurses of Fayetteville’s Healthkeeperz Hospice for all their care.