The Rev. John F. O’Kelley

The Rev. John F. O'Kelley
The Rev. John Frederick O'Kelley, major, U.S. Army (retired), 1913-2008, departed this life peacefully into the company of our Lord on Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at 7:55 p.m. surrounded by Angela, his wife of 60 years, his three children and their spouses and his nine grandchildren.
Born in Lavonia on July 30, 1913, he was a retired U.S. Army World War II veteran of the war in the South Pacific, rising from private to major in a 24-year career that included service in the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve. Maj. O'Kelley was decorated with the Bronze Star for his exemplary service on the island of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. The Rev. O'Kelley also was a retired Atlanta Gas Light executive, employed from 1934 to 1974. He graduated from the University of Georgia night school in 1947, and from Candler Seminary of Emory University in 1969. As a pastor, he was a voting member of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and in the congregation of Gainesville First United Methodist (GFUMC). He was a founding member and lay leader of Belvedere UMC in Decatur. Affectionately known as Mr. Freddie, he pastored several churches around North Georgia, Ebenezer UMC in Conyers, St. Paul UMC in Lumpkin County, Piney Grove UMC in Flowery Branch, Bethel UMC in North Hall, Bethel UMC in Dawsonville, New Liberty UMC in Braselton and Maysville/Wilson's Chapel UMC. He served for 12 years in the older adult ministry of Gainesville First United Methodist, while he served the smaller churches. He served Bethel (Dawson) and New Liberty as a full-time pastor. Active in his retired life, Mr. Freddie and Angela loved to travel, seeing Hawaii, the Middle East/Holy Land, Greece, England and Ireland on their many trips with the GFUMC older adult group he founded, The GadAbouts. Mr. Freddie liked to joke around and kept his sermons light-hearted. He once stated he would retire at 4 p.m. of the day he died. He held true to that axiom.
The Rev. O'Kelley was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Russell D. (Elise McBrayer) O'Kelley of Atlanta. He is survived by his wife, Angela (Wilkerson); son, John F. O'Kelley Jr. of Decatur; daughters, Susan Riley of Decatur and Mary Myers of Panama City, Fla.; sons-in-law, Joseph P. Riley and James S. Myers II; and grandchildren, Joseph P. Riley Jr., Matthew C. Riley, Angela F. Riley, Andrew H. Riley, Brett G. Riley, Christopher C. Myers, Jordan L. Myers, Meredith M. Myers and Kelley L. Myers. He is also survived by Patty McBrayer Heaton Timms, his dearly loved first cousin, and her husband, Billy Timms.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Mr. Freddie's name to The GadAbouts or GFUMC General fund, GFUMC, 2705 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30501.
A memorial service, officiated by Dr. James N. Thompson, the Rev. Tom Jones, the Rev. Hugh Cauthen and the Rev. Ferris Hardin will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, at Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 2705 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA.
Cremation Society of the South is in charge of arrangements; 770-420-5557.
Cremation Society of the South, Marietta