Jerry Kelley

in the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans to Lawrence and Ruth Kelley (Carter) and was

one of six brothers -- Lawrence, Richard, Robert, Patrick, and James. As a child of 8, he got his

first of many paper routes, which allowed him to explore the city, an experience he loved to

reminisce fondly about with children and grandchildren in later years. After graduating from

Warren Easton High School, where he was in the Naval Reserve, he attended LSU and studied

engineering, leaving his studies to enlist in the United States Marine Corps near the end of

WWII. He returned home and worked for the U.S Corps of Engineers, then entered Tulane’s

School of Architecture, enlisted in the Army ROTC, and held part time drafting jobs to cover

tuition.

In 1953, Jerry met his wife, formerly Patricia Gillane, at a skating rink, serendipitously later

named Pat & Jerry’s in Old Jefferson. Pat was there for the express purpose of finding a date for

her senior prom and succeeded beyond expectations. Shortly after their marriage, which was

to last 69 years, Jerry was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict, and the couple

moved first to Tacoma, WA., and then to Germany, where he served for several years. He was

proud of having been in three U.S. military branches. Upon their return to the States, Jerry and

Pat built a home on a one lane shell road, Transcontinental Drive, in Metairie. Jerry worked as a

civil engineer all over Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, overseeing infrastructure projects in the

booming period from the 1960’s into the 90’s. He was a stickler for details and known for

ensuring that every I was dotted and every T crossed on projects he supervised.

The population growth in Jefferson was matched in the Kelley home, with Jerry and Pat building

multiple additions to their small home as their family expanded to include nine children, whom

Jerry showered with affection and raised with purpose. He taught his kids to swing a hammer,

change a tire, grow a damn fine tomato, dance, swim, lift weights, and squeeze a dollar out of a

dime, generally modeling how to work hard while loving life. Jerry enjoyed his children, building

the Taj Mahal of treehouses that was a Mecca for the neighborhood kids, and loading everybody

into the old International Travelall for trips to parades, the Quarter, the beach, crabbing at the

Lakefront, and countless other excursions. He was a devoted member of St. Edward’s Catholic

Church, a passionate LSU football fan, an accomplished dancer to Swing and Cajun music, a

co-host of legendary Christmas Eve parties, a world traveler, and had a deep appreciation for

architecture, traditional Jazz, and a platter of cold, raw oysters accompanied by a beer. And up

until the time he stopped driving at 92, he could always tell you where to find the cheapest gas

in town.

Jerry is preceded in death by three beloved sons, Gregory, Brian, and Glen, and brothers

Lawrence and Richard. In addition to wife Pat, he is survived by children Michael Kelley

(Rochelle and mother Betty Lou), Maureen Gomez, Patrick Kelley, and Bridget Jones (husband,

Michael), Sheila Kelley (husband, Michael Parker), and Regan Contois (Joe & Skye),

grandchildren Melissa Kinney, Devon James, Glen Gomez, Katie Kelley Jackson (husband,

Chad), Jack Kelley, Elizabeth and Matthew Jones, Zora Parker and Sam Contois, as well as

great-grandchildren Cillian, Morrigan, Jaden, Anthony, Madeline, and Annabelle. A mass to

celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at noon with visitation at 11:00 a.m. at

St. Edward the Confessor Church in Metairie, Louisiana.