Michael Brooks Kelley

Michael Brooks Kelley was born and raised on a small family farm in Willoughby, Ohio, May 31, 1943. After doing his farm chores, as a teenager he loved to hitchhike to the local roller rink to skate and socialize. He was quite a good skater and even participated in some competitions. Michael also earned his pilot’s license while still in high school. He was taught to fly by local pilots at the small airport that bordered the Kelley’s farm.

After High School graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he continued as an aviator. His military years in the mid-1960’s took him on P2V recognizance flights in the North Pacific and C130 flights to McMurdo Sound, Antarctica as part of Operation Deepfreeze for several years. There he was involved in the transport of supplies and in the movement of National Science Foundation scientists to various locations on the Continent for their research. He considered the time he spent in Antarctica to be the adventure of his lifetime and loved to share stories about the natural wonders and the penguins he encountered there.

Michael studied electrical engineering while in the Navy and completed his education later at Northeastern University in Boston.

An entrepreneur at heart, he later had a number of small businesses related to real estate and to General Aviation. But, perhaps the business endeavor of which he was most proud was the food service software company, Computrition, which was launched with three other partners in Chatsworth, CA in the early 1980’s. This company has grown into an industry leader through the years and is now under new ownership.

In 2008 Michael and his wife retired to a hilltop home in Fallbrook, CA where he made new friends and spent his time on home and property improvement projects. He took great pride in always having just the right tool for his projects or to help a neighbor in need.

Michael Kelley passed away on November 4, 2025 at age 82. He was pre-deceased by his youngest brother, Loren in 2024. He is survived by his wife Leslie, his brother Patrick of No. Easton, MA, and his sister Linda of Kissimmee, FL. He will forever be missed for his many talents, his good nature, and quirky sense of humor.

A Memorial gathering is yet to be arranged. Please consider a donation to your favorite Veteran’s Charity in honor of Michael Brooks Kelley.