Gerald Thomas Kelly Jr.

Privately dealing with the side effects of an illness that rhymes with “schmancer”, Jerry overcame the majority of obstacles facing his treatment, but in the end, could not maintain enough strength to keep up the fight.

Born on August 22,1954, Jerry grew up in Irvington, NY. He attended the Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Irvington High School in 1972.

He started his college years at St. Bonaventure, and SUNY Cortland, before spending the next few years exploring what life had to offer. He worked a variety of odd jobs including DJ, “Crazy Eddie’s” salesman, and even a summer as a Good Humor man. He was able to earn enough to fund his dream of driving cross country to live his California dream. Unfortunately, those plans were cut short by the passing of his sister, and his return home to help the rest of his family relocate to North Carolina.

The next part of his life was spent in pursuit of a livelihood. Cable installation led to work with the Satellite industry, which led to the pursuit of an associates degree in electronics from Guilford Tech and eventually a BS in IT from High Point University. His education provided him a 30+year career with AT&T in Network Security, before his retirement in 2018.

Along the way, he raised Afghan Hounds, a rescue dog whose name was NOT “Gus”, cared for feral cats, grew lush gardens, played his guitars, and grumbled about everywhere he ever ate or went. In spite of all the grumbling, he was a loving Uncle, devoted son, and a pretty decent older brother (and brother-in-law). Although he never encountered a restaurant he liked, he spent every holiday meal with his family and his last days in pursuit of a decent slice of pizza.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald T. Sr. (2018) and Georgette Kelly (2020), as well as his sister Theresa (1979). He is survived by his sister Lisa Kelly-Rouse and her husband, Franklin Rouse of Cary, NC; nephews Noah Rouse of Hillsborough, NC; Spencer Rouse of Cary, NC, and niece, Theresa “Shea” Rouse of Raleigh, NC as well as a plethora of aunts, uncles and cousins around the country.

There will be a visitation on March 29, 2026, from 2-4 pm at the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

Where we will remember and celebrate the life of Jerry Kelly