David Thomas Kelly

David Thomas Kelly, at the age of 76, passed away peacefully into the night on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. He was born on May 16, 1948 in Dublin, Ireland to Thomas and Mary (Byrne) Kelly. David immigrated to the United States in 1957 when he was 9 years old and lived with his family in Lincoln Park, Michigan, where he attended Christ the Good Shepherd church and grade school in Lincoln Park, Michigan. David attended and graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 1968.
David proudly became a US citizen on March 19, 1968 at the age of 19 years old. David was a veteran of the United States Air Force in which he enlisted on August 23, 1968 and served until May 27, 1974 when he was Honorably Discharged. He learned his trade while in the Air Force as a still photo lab technician. During his service David was deployed overseas to Vietnam, stationed at U-Tapao Airbase in Thailand where he worked as a photo finishing lab developer and technician. While in Vietnam David also flew as a photographer with the Navy pilots on reconnaissance missions and also did underwater photography in the Gulf of Tonkin with Navy divers. The Air Force awarded David the following medals; the National Defense Service Medal, AF Longevity Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the AF Good Conduct Medal. Upon returning to the USA, he served at Wright-Patterson AFB, in Dayton, Ohio where he continued to work as a photo lab technician from August 22, 1971 to May 27, 1974.
David then returned to Lincoln Park, Michigan and worked at Guardian Professional Photo Lab in Novi, Michigan as a professional photo finisher from 1974 to 1980. He then worked at North American Photo in Livonia, Michigan as the Marketing and National Sales Manager of professional photo finishing from 1980 until his retirement 2008. He was a member of the PPM (Professional Photographers of Michigan), the PPA (Professional Photographers of America), and WPPI (Wedding Professional Photographers International). When he wasn't working as a photo finisher and national sales manager, he would photograph weddings and family portraits, which he did for many years including after his retirement.
David moved with his wife Barbara from their residence in West Bloomfield, Michigan to their vacation home in Naples, Florida in 2003. David loved photography and to travel. Over the years David was able to take many trips including back to Ireland to see family there and tour the country. He also loved to go on cruise ship vacations and was fortunate to go on over 40 cruises in Europe, Canada, the USA and the Caribbean.
David was a devoted husband to his wife Barbara for 45 years. He was a loving father to his son David Jr, who predeceased him in 1996. David is survived by his brother Donagh Kelly and his wife Suzanne of Suwanee, Georgia, his brother Brendan Kelly and his wife Kathy of S. Rockwood, Michigan, his brother John Kelly of Gilbert, Arizona, and his sister Breeda Miller and her husband Jim of Manchester, Michigan. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces, too numerous to mention here, but all very much loved.
A memorial service for David will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, 9751 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.
Those wishing to express a word of encouragement or share a memory or photo may do so at www.shikanyfuneralhome.com.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to the following charity: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 Phone: (718) 987-1931 E-mail: donationsupport@t2t.org
Website: www.t2t.org or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.