Joel Richard Kelley

Joel Richard Kelley, age 92, passed away on November 29, 2024, at the VA Hospital in Gainesville, FL. Born on January 29, 1932, in Coffee Springs, Alabama, to Mack Chester Kelley and Bessie Emma Carter Kelley.

Joel served honorably in the Army and, after his discharge, began a long career at Southern Bell in Jacksonville, FL, moving throughout Florida at the behest of the company during his term of employment, and retired on December 31, 1983. After retiring from Southern Bell, he worked in the telecom industry and obtained his Realtor Broker License, operating River Manor Realty in Jacksonville.

He eloped with Blanche Elaine Bush on April 21, 1956, in Kingsland, GA after meeting her at Lake Forest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. They were married until her passing on July 27, 1983.

Joel's greatest joy was fishing, both fresh water and salt water. He spent countless hours on the water, always in search of the perfect catch. He also had a deep interest in the political arena, serving for a time as the chair of a local Democratic Party in Coffee Springs, AL, after retiring from his real estate business.

Joel was a lifetime member of Oceanview Masonic Lodge and AMVETS, showing his strong ties to community and fellowship. He had been a member and Steward for Communications Workers of America Local 3106 in Jacksonville prior to the first of his promotions to management at Southern Bell.

He is survived by his daughters, Karen Ann Kelley and Sandra Lynn Kelley Peters, and son­ in-law Patrick Peters; grandchildren Grant Garretson and his wife Brooke Garretson, Kellie Garretson, Timothy Williamson, Kari Lynn Peters, Sophia Doski, Michael Costlow, and Jacob Costlow; as well as a step-grandson Patrick Peters Jr. Joel also leaves behind great­ grandchildren Lilly Fowler, Tristan, Tobias, Emma, Theron and Aurora Walter, Abigail Garretson, Grayson Garretson, and Kaili Peters, along with a host of nephews and nieces.

Preceding him in death are his wife Blanche; daughters Linda Jo and an unnamed infant girl; sister Maxine Kelley Jones Culbreth; brothers-in-law Henry Jones and John Culbreth; brother John C. Kelley and sister-in-law Ruth Mcwaters Kelley; brother James A. Kelley and sister-in-law Lenora Cradell Kelley; brother Larry Michael Kelley; nephew Danny Mack Kelley; and niece Patricia Jones Burton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Fisher House Foundation, https://www.fisherhouse.org/ in Joel Kelley's name.

Joel's legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

A reception will be held for Joel at Cimarrone Golf Club, 2800 Cimarrone Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 3225, on Thursday 12/5 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.