In every lifetime there are people that stand out above the crowd. Dr. Charles Francis Kelly D.C. was that man. A soft-spoken man, when he spoke you listened. A brilliant man, whose knowledge was never ending, a gentle man whose hands and mind designed, built, taught, healed, and helped so many.
Married to his loving wife Gloria Kelly on July 7, 1962. He is survived by his wife Gloria and four children Jeanne Thomas (Derrick), Donna Lucaora (John), Paul Kelly (Ann), Jason Kelly (Jenna). Loving Grandfather of Jordan, Justin, Kelly, Brendan, Alexa, Megan, and Jack and loving Great Grandfather to Rachel. Son to Frank John Sabat and Judith Bordignon, brother to Margaret Alonzo, uncle to Shirley Cusatis, and Judy McNeill.
Starting his life in Detroit, Michigan, he moved onto the farm and gained his strong work ethic with his father. Gaining the nickname “Flash” in high school, his love and professionalism of photography won him many awards and lives on long past his time on earth. In his lifetime, Charles Kelly worked at NASA, Chrysler Missile, North American Rockwell and Boeing. He created some of the world’s most accurate cameras for the SR-71 Blackbird during his time as an Optical Physicist. As an Engineer, on the Redstone Rocket and Mercury Missions, he worked to bring earthy things to the moon. Built with his own hands, he designed his own private sailing catamaran. As a pilot, he built his own personal glider aircraft and flew it upon the wind. He then became a Doctor of Chiropractic at Sherman College so that he could use his hands and talents to help his patients function and heal. Whether a treehouse, barn, or his many other projects, his hands always created.
His love of animals, nature, and specifically organic fruit and vegetable gardening reached its pinnacle in the form of red, black, and golden raspberries, award winning tomatoes, and bountiful harvests every year to be shared with many.
Charles taught us to keep our nose to the grindstone, if you need a job done you can do it yourself, and get some dirt under your fingernails. He taught us to take the time to teach because knowledge is priceless, the value of family, and to put CFK on everything you own. If you’re looking for something it’ll be on the east wall, and help will always be there if you ask.
In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts, expressions of condolences, and memories in honor of Dr. Charles F Kelly D.C. can be sent to Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home at 30351 Dequindre Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071.
Due to the rules of Covid-19 there will be a funeral mass ceremony at St. Louise de Marillac in Warren, MI.
There will be a funeral mass ceremony at St. Louise de Marillac in Warren, Michigan at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 7th, 2020.
