Dennis Wayne Kelley

Dennis Wayne Kelley, 78, of Chesapeake, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2024, surrounded by family. Born on June 3, 1946, Dennis lived a life of service, love, and dedication to his family and country. He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 50 years, Annette Peek Kelley, with whom he shared a life full of cherished memories. Dennis was a proud father to his son, Michael Kelley of Arizona, and daughters, Leslie Kelley of Chesapeake, and Lisa Hancock (Tim) of Tennessee. He was also a beloved grandfather, affectionately known as "Papa," to his four grandchildren: Tyler Palmer, Cameron Palmer, Madeline Hancock, and Dylan Hancock. Dennis is also survived by two brothers, Clark Kelley (Kris) of South Dakota and John Kelley of Arizona, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Woodrow "Mike" Kelley, and his mother, Audrey Kelley. A dedicated serviceman, Dennis proudly served in the United States Navy for over two decades. Enlisting in 1964, he served aboard the USS Oriskany during the Vietnam War and later aboard the USS America and USS Forrestal. He was a part of several distinguished squadrons, including VA-85, VAW-78, VP-93, and RVAH-03, before retiring from military service in 1994 as a highly respected sailor. Before his long Naval career, Dennis briefly served as Chief of Police in Tyndall, South Dakota, during the early 1970s. His career extended beyond the military, with a period spent as a government contractor in Kuwait, followed by work at Sears in the Tool Territory department before he ultimately retired from the workforce. Dennis' family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Beth Shalom and the Veteran's Administration's Community Living Center for their exceptional care during his final days. Dennis leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, service, and love. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. A memorial service will be held for family and friends to celebrate Dennis' life at Graham Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1112 Kempsville Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23320 on Tuesday, October 8 at 2 p.m. with a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to a veterans' charity of your choice. To view the service if unable to attend and to leave a condolence to the family, please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com.