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John Kelly Obituary
John passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on March 6, 2011. He was born October 23, 1954, in Brooklyn, NYC, where he married Donna Van Houten and fathered his first daughter, Cassady. After working for several years as a union carpenter in the NY area, John moved the family to Olympia in the late 1980s to be closer to relatives. He became the proud parent of three additional daughters, Kayla, Shea, and Eve Kelly. John graduated from The Evergreen State College (1993).
John was an integral part of his community and dedicated to the service of others, love of God, and strong family values and provided a loving home, rich in kindness, creativity, diversity, humility, humor and joy. John leaves behind his spouse Donna; four daughters; two older brothers, Dan (Penny Sneed) and Bill (Maria Calamia); sister, Joanne (Doug McCaughan). He was predeceased by his parents John and Ann Kelly, and younger brother, Gerry.
John worked for 17 years as an environmental engineer at the Olympic Clean Air Agency. His early retirement in February 2011 was triggered by the effects of cancer, which he had been courageously battling for six years.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Olympic Christian Reform Church, 2121 Log Cabin Road, Olympia 98501. The family requests any donations be forwarded to Capitol Oncology Patient Assistance Fund (3920 Capital Mall Drive SW, Ste. 100, Olympia, WA 98502), or to The Thurston County Furniture Bank (c/o Olympic Reform Church).
To leave memories of John or condolences for the family, www.FuneralAlternatives.org Arrangements are with Funeral Alternatives of Washington 360-753-1065.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Kelly
Mary Ann Lawrence
March 18, 2011
Tom and I are so sorry. We treasure even our old memories of him. He seemed a very admirable person and I can only imagine he grew in wisdom and peace, blessing you, your children and all who knew him.
Love, Mary Ann and Tom Lawrence
March 16, 2011
Remembering John's wit, stride, and smile sailing down 109st in Richmond Hill, Queens. No surprise a wonderful guy became a wonderful man. God bless John and our deepest sympathy to the Kelly family. Love, the Delaneys
Marcia C.
March 13, 2011
Donna and girls,
My prayers continue for all of you in this time of finding your way through the grieving. I'm sad I couldn't be there in body on Saturday but my spirit was definitely with you all. See you soon, I hope. Love,
Melissa Young
March 13, 2011
Hi Donna,
You have my love and sympathy.I didn't get to know John, but from what I am learning about him, he must be a treasure.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer DeMay
March 12, 2011
It was a pleasure to work with him. He was kind, funny, and a good friend. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Donna and the girls.
Sunnie Cantin-Locke
March 12, 2011
I love you guys so much. You have all done so much for my family. The last time I was there, I stayed there the night, when I spent the week in WA. We all played games that night, and John made the yummiest breakfast. He was always smiling, and was silly while he cooked. I really wish the kids could have been there that night and morning with me, they too would have had fun. I don't think in my almost 5 years of knowing him, that I did not see him stop smiling. Whether it was church get-togethers at the water, or just in church. My kids were very upset when they found out, the night before he passed. Robin right away said it was good that he didn't really suffer. We all DEFINITELY believe God needed him for something huge up there... he was very much a great angel on earth.
ROBIN: We are always going to be here for you.XOXO
DOMINIC: I miss you.
Darilyn and Eric Lightner
March 12, 2011
Words cannot express the saddness we feel at John's passing. Our hearts go out to Donna and the girls. We do rejoice in the fact that he again has a strong voice to join with the angels in singing, praising the God he loves. Many words come to mind when thinking of John: loving, patient, kind, calm, devoted to God and family, thoughtful consistent, brave, trusting. He will be missed so much by his church 'family'. We were made better people by knowing John. Our prayers are for those he has temporarily left behind. God be with you.
March 12, 2011
John always had a smile and a kind word for everyone, he was a great person.
Chuck & Marlene Peace, Nixa, Missouri
Walter & Catherine Hayes Ulasinski
March 12, 2011
Good night sweet prince and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest....
God Speed John
Dave Austin
March 11, 2011
John,you were a great guy and a caring person.Im glad your in a peaceful place now.Rest in peace brother.
Debbie Moody
March 11, 2011
John was and is an inspiration. I will always remember him as a patient father, a great man, a friendly co-worker and a close friend. I will miss sharing 'kid' stories and his quick witted jokes. My heart aches for missing him, but know that he is smiling down at us..with a joke ready to tell when we see him again. God bless you John. God bless you Donna and girls.
michael cannella
March 11, 2011
It was great knowing John, we have done alot with each other.
gerry cody
March 11, 2011
Rest in peace John
Jenine Christianson
March 11, 2011
Fare you well, John Kelly
...going home, going home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul
Janice Edlin
March 11, 2011
I only got the pleasure of knowing John for too short of a time, through the Livestrong group @ the YMCA...I was relieved to read that he was a believer and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with those he left behind. God Bless You!
Scott Williams
March 10, 2011
John was such a giving, compassionate man, one of those people whose presence just always made my day brighter. Words cannot really express how much he'll be missed, or the impact he made on the community and those around him.
Nancy Hunter
March 10, 2011
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
I will remember you always and I ask your blessing over me.
Susan Bishop
March 10, 2011
Wonderful memories of John keep running like a slideshow -- sitting at the back of church in our previous worship space with Eve(binkie in her mouth) on his lap, hauling furniture for the furniture bank, leaning over to talk with one of his Sunday School kids who had made a card for him, on stage with his daughters in the lip sync, top row singing in the choir, sitting at home next to Donna at his birthday party and enjoying all the love and joy and singing around him -- a wonderful friend, father, husband, and brother in Christ. We will miss him!
Leslie
March 10, 2011
John will be missed and remembered.
Kathleen Donnellan
March 10, 2011
My deepest sympathy to the Kelly family. Please remember whenever you feel sad that you will see him again one day. With love, Kathi Donnellan ?
Diana Marcus
March 10, 2011
Many Blessings to you John as you rest in peace. You were angel here on earth and now you will continue your journey in heaven and fly with your wings.
You will be missed by many who love you!
The Williams Family
March 10, 2011
Thinking of John, a caring, devoted man-- to God, to his family, to us his neighbors near and far. Also, we cannot think of John without a whole lot joyful laughter from a story or a funny act. For teaching us, by example, about loving and living here now, John, thank you always!
Lindsey Fern
March 10, 2011
You have impacted me and will be remembered fondly!
much love to a wonderful man!
Lonnie and Dan Locke
March 10, 2011
There are no right words to express our sorrow. We wanted John to always be here. We wanted to marvel at the love he showed to Donna and his children; to hear the wisdom he knew; and to be enveloped in the warmth and friendship he gave without conditions.
Erin Rumbaugh
March 10, 2011
Such a loving husband and father; a great sense of humor and terrific storyteller; so giving to others.
Lawrence Family
March 10, 2011
A friend who knew how to leave you with a memory.
Lynn Haggerty
March 10, 2011
Although we can't be with you while you remember your loved one, you're in our thoughts from afar.
March 9, 2011
AWEOME FRIEND, FATHER and Brother in Christ...
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