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John Kelley Obituary

John Ewen Kelley

Port Huron

John Ewen Kelley 71 of Port Huron passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2014 from complications following heart surgery.

Known to many as Skip or Jack, he was born April 30, 1943 to the late Edythe and John E. Kelley.  His father died when Jack was a young boy.  Edythe married J. Harland Patterson who adopted and raised Jack.

Jack was a member of Grace Episcopal Church serving as an acolyte and playing basketball in the popular church league in his teen years.

He was a history major at the University of Michigan and a member of Alpha Tau Omega.  He also studied two semesters at the University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

Jack proudly served his country commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army 1st Infantry Division stationed in Seoul, Korea during the Vietnam War.  Upon his return to the United States, Jack served as the Survivor Assistant for Michigan soldiers killed in the Vietnam War.

Jack married Nancy Brenner of St. Clair, Michigan on June 13, 1970 and returned to college to complete course study in Hotel Restaurant Management at Michigan State University. 

He worked for Saga Corporation for 19 years as food service director at Wittenberg College, (Springfield, Ohio), Earlham College, (Richmond, Indiana), Urbana College, (Urbana, Ohio) and Lansing Community College in Lansing, Michigan. After living in Okemos, Michigan for 14 years, Jack returned to his family home and maritime roots in Port Huron and served as the General Manager of the Thomas Edison Inn for eight years prior to retirement.

Jack's love for the community found him serving on various boards including the Downtown Development Authority, The Tourism Bureau, The March of Dimes, and the Gus Macker.  Jack and his close friend, Billy LeCaine, were the originators of the Blue Water Pow Wow and the Native American College Scholarship Fund.  He also volunteered yearly for the Silver Sticks Hockey Tournament.

Jack was a life-long outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was a skilled woodworker and the many decoys and ship models he crafted reflected his love of the outdoors and Great Lakes freighters.  Jack also spent Saturdays for 18 years at the Big House in Ann Arbor watching Michigan football with his wife and sons.

Jack is survived by his wife, Nancy, sons John E. (Molly) Kelley III of Portland, Oregon, James Patterson Kelley of Port Huron, grandson, Liam and many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Jennifer.

Additionally, for the past few months Jack and his family appreciated the kindness and professional care experienced at Marwood Nursing and Rehab and Mercy Hospital.

Funeral services officiated by Rev. Lydia Agnew Speller will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Grace Episcopal Church with inurnment immediately following in the Columbarium.  The family will receive friends in the church parlor beginning at 10 a.m.

Memorials may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church (College Scholarship Fund) or the Port Huron Museum (Fort Gratiot Lighthouse).

Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-North, 1525 Hancock St.  To send condolences, please visit smithfamilyfuneralhome.com  

Published by The Times Herald from May 9 to May 11, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Kelley

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Very sad. Best friends for many, many years. Best man a my wedding, as I was at his. Somehow distanced ourselves as we raised our families. Also sorry about that. Lope

Patrick Loeprich

May 20, 2014

I will greatly miss my uncle - a man of many talents, and so willing to share his insights and enthusiasm for life through story and humor. Jack will be greatly loved and missed by all of us in the Knorr family! God's grace and blessings, Bob Knorr

Bob Knorr

May 18, 2014

WE HAD SOME FINE TIMES LONG AGO. FROM MISS YOUNG'S DANCE LESSONS THROUGH THE COLLEGE YEARS.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A LEGEND TO ME... JOHN KEARNS TROY, MI.

May 17, 2014

Jack will be missed. Our family sends their love and our thoughts and prayers are with you my dear sister, Nancy and with Jamie and with John, Molly and Liam and all the family

Jane Knorr

May 15, 2014

Very sorry to hear of Skip passing. Will always remember the good times I had with him at his Moms house while she was tutoring me.

Douglas Ashford

May 14, 2014

I always thought the world of Skip!
Great lifetime memories :)
Robby P.

May 12, 2014

Jack was a great brother-in-law to me
who added much joy and laughter to our
family. Our lives were much richer
because of Jack and his family and we
have nothing but good memories of our
times together. He was a great man!

Richard Brenner

May 12, 2014

I will always regret not having a better chance to know Jack. The only time we met was at John & Molly's wedding. I enjoyed talking to him then.

Mostly, I am sorry for the loss suffered by Nancy and Jamie. You are in my heart. I trust that you face this loss with the love and support of your many friends and family members.

Steve Grooms

May 12, 2014

Jamie and family,
My deepest sympathies,

Tom Ropposch

May 11, 2014

Nancy and family
So sad to hear of Jack's passing..spent alot of fun times with him planning and putting on the Blue Water powwows
Prayers..Sharon Kota

sharon kota

May 11, 2014

I was sad to learn of Jack's death, lovely man and great friend for so many early years

Sanford "Sandy" Henry

May 11, 2014

R.I.P. Skip. Thanks for your military service and the services you rendered to Port Huron. A life well-lived. Blessings to your extended family and friends. PHHS Class of 1961 salutes you.

John Chidester

May 11, 2014

WE AT MERCY ICU ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.WE ALL LOVED CARING FOR JOHN WHILE HE WAS HERE. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

TAMMY

May 10, 2014

Jack was a great guy, and great boss,I worked with him at the Edison Inn and will never forget, his great sense of humor,he will be missed by all his former employees

Michael Bade

May 10, 2014

Nancy, I am so very sorry for your great loss. I loved that he was worried about me finding a house :). I am certain he will watch over you and your family! My prayers are with you!

Kelly (Respiratory Therapy)

May 9, 2014

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Funeral services provided by:

Grace Memorial - Smith Chapel - Port Huron

1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron, MI 48060

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