Joseph Thomas Kelley Sr.

Joseph Thomas Kelley Sr, 82, of Louisville, passed away peacefully at Baptist Healthcare on the morning of June 25, 2015 with loving family by his side. He was a native of Shelbyville KY, and was born on April 30, 1933 to the late Charlie and Mattie Kelley.

The family moved to Louisville and lived in the downtown area around Wenzel and Shelby before moving to the Beuchel area where he met and married the girl next door. Joy Ann Linker became the love of his life. They married at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church on September 23, 1961. Both Catholics by faith they attended St. Athanasius Catholic Church at the time of his passing.

Some knew him as Joe, "J", or "J.T.," while family knew him as Dad, Babe, PawPaw and Pap.

"J" had attended Aaron's Trade School prior to starting a small painting company. He had worked for the State Highway Department, Tube Turns and Able Construction. His entrepreneurial spirit and drive led him to launch Kelley Construction in 1978. They are now a national company, licensed in 49 states and ranked by ENR as one of the top 400 companies in the nation. It has been his positive energy and outlook that he brought to others that will be hard to replace. He was a true leader that our family and friends will dearly miss.

He loved his family, hunting on his farm in Owen County, playing golf and being a snow bird, spending time in Florida during the winter months.

Left cherishing his memory is his loving wife of 53 years, Joy Ann Kelley; brother, Charlie (Betty) Kelley; children, Joe Jr. (Teresa), Mark (Julie) Kelley and Gwen (Alan) Peake; grandchildren, Tiffany, Trent, Anthony, A.J., Amanda and Austin; great-grandchildren, Porter, Knox, Charlotte and Landon.

A Life Celebration Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, 5915 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY 40219, with interment in Resthaven Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home, 4400 Bardstown Road .

You may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association.

You may leave condolence messages at www.archlheadyresthaven.com