David L. Kelley

84 years of age, David passed away peacefully in the setting sun on Sunday, April 23, 2023, with his family by his side.  David was born on May 13th, 1938, in Kentucky to the late Homer and Katherine Kelley. They soon moved to Harriman, Tennessee where David grew up.  The family operated a general grocery and mercantile store. He attended Columbia Military Academy and Harriman High School where he played quarterback on the football teams. He went to the University of Tennessee prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Army and Tennessee National Guard in 1961.  David served in the military during the Cuban Missile Crisis and in the Tank division at Fort Knox as a Tank Commander and certified sharpshooter.

In 1963, David and Carol married in Jacksonville, FL.  David’s professional career in the greeting card business lasted 42 years.  Most of his work was with Gibson Greeting cards and ended with his retirement from American Greetings, as Senior Vice President of Sales.  During this time, the family moved to Virginia Beach, VA, New Orleans, LA, and finally, the current family home in Hollywood, FL in 1970.  After retirement, David stayed busy with his own consulting firm advising national chain retailers.  David and Carol brought up three children, Michael, Karen, and Brennan.  David was so proud of his children and grandchildren, Brian, Mandelyn, Kaitlyn and Ashlyn.  The four grandchildren along with their grandmother, Carol, and Michael and Karen graduated from Florida State University.

David enjoyed 20 years of retirement at the condo on Hollywood Beach, also known as the “hideout” where for 30 years the family enjoyed lots of swimming parties and beach picnics.  David and Carol also spent time at their vacation home on Lake Kerr as the grandchildren grew older with plenty of boating, tubing, water skiing, fishing, and bar-b-ques plus golf cart rides in the Ocala National Forest. 

David loved his sports as the years always began with the Miami Heat, springtime with the Miami Marlins, and his favorite, football, and the Miami Dolphins.  Golf between and during seasons was a sport he ever so loved.

David was a very special husband, father, and grandfather and will be forever missed. We will never say goodbye, but will always say, “See you later.”

A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on May 13, 2023 at Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home on 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024 followed by a reception on site.