Originally from Altoona, PA, Dess passed away on Friday, January 19, 2018 at the age of 90 with his wife Winifred and his three children, Ken Kelley, Cathy Zampino and Michelle Bilski and his stepchildren Roy Van Cleve and Kathleen Gavin at his side. In addition Dess is survived by 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, and his sister in-law Linda Krueger and her husband Jim. Dess was also predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Velma “DeDe” Kelley.
Dess had a full career in the Marine Corps and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel before going on to have a second career as a Communications Manager with American Airlines. Once a Marine, Always a Marine. The Marines are always looking for “A Few Good Men” and they certainly found one in Dess. He was an ordinary product of a time that seems to have produced many extraordinary people. He was a man of integrity, a man of his word, a man you could rely upon and a leader who lead by example. He will be sorely missed by those that knew him.
Arrangements by Howell Edwards Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors.
