Mr. Kelley was born on December 4, 1937, in Akron, Ohio. After growing up in the Kenmore District of the city, he started his college career at Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, but finished his college learning experience at the University of Akron earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in June 1960. He then entered military service through the university’s ROTC program, serving in the United States Air Force Reserves. He rose to the rank of captain in the USA FR’s, resigning in 1972.
After college, he worked as a Squad Design Engineer at the Ohio Department of Highways from 1963 to 1969. He wrote a book on Geodesy, dealing with the City of Akron’s Horizontal & Vertical Control Network that he participated in creating in 1965.
He and his family then moved to West Palm Beach area in 1969, joining the private consulting firm of Adair & Brady, Inc. of Lake Worth. He obtained his professional engineer and professional land surveying licenses in Florida. Four years later, he started his own consulting firm (Kelley Engineering Associates, Inc.) in West Palm Beach which served both private and public clients for 13 ½ years. He then merged with a planning firm to offer multiple service to municipalities.
He joined the School District of Palm Beach County in the spring of 1996, serving as their Chief Civil Engineer, and was selected as the Chief Civil Engineer, and was selected as the Utility Engineer for the City of Boynton Beach in May 1997. He wrote the Design Manual for the Utilities Department (2 volumes) and Design Manual for the Engineering Division (2 volumes). He also added his land surveying license expe3rience to the City for surveying issues. He was with the City of Boynton Beach until he retired in 2012.
In addition to the above professional contributions, Mr. Kelley contributed to our community as he served the Town of Lake Clarke Shores in multiple capacities: as a member of the Town Council and as Town Engineer for more than a decade; including one year as Town Mayor.
He loved his family and they greatly benefited from his role as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Mr. Kelley had been married to his wife Pauline (Pam) Kelley since December 1967. She passed away in June 2013. He leaves his daughters, Kathryn (Kitty) with her family living in Easley, South Carolina, Kimberly living in West Palm Beach, and Dana Lynn living with her husband in Dublin, Georgia, and his son, Bryan, living with his wife Anna and family in Sugar Land, Texas. His family reflects 4 children, 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
He was an active member of his faith community attending Faith Presbyterian Church in Palm Springs, followed by serving as an usher at the faith community of First Presbyterian Church North Palm Beach meeting at his residence of the Waterford, Juno Beach, Florida. His faith in Christ was evidenced through his life of integrity, service, and faithfulness to Christ who he professed as his personal Lord and Savior.
His family invites you to celebrate his life on Tuesday, October 16, during visitation hours of 5 to 8 p.m. and a celebration of life service on Wednesday morning, October 17 at 10 a.m. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at the local federal veteran cemetery in West Lantana, Florida.
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