Lt. Col. Raymond Russell KELLY Ret

1922 - 2016

KELLY, Lt. Col., Raymond Russell (Ret) We lost our devoted father, friend, and hero Raymond Russell Kelly February 1st 2016. Russ was born to Harold and Harriett Kelly March 29, 1922 in San Francisco to a fourth generation member of a pioneer family, including his great grandfather Raleigh who was a co-founder of the Hibernia Bank. Russ graduated from St. Ignatius High School and then attended Santa Clara University. After his second year of college, Russ joined the Army Air Corps in May 1943 in the middle of World War II. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, he completed navigator training and was assigned to the B-29 bomber on Tinian Island in 1944. From Tinian, Russ flew 35 bombing missions over Japan. On one mission he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for avoiding intense enemy fighter aircraft and flak during daylight to bomb the Mitsubishi engine plant, critical the Japanese war effort. On another mission the crew had to fly through intense anti-aircraft fire. After the mission, the crew landed back in Tinian with over 50 holes in the aircraft. On his last bombing mission, he heard on the radio that peace had been signed. After the War, he met the love of his life and married his wife of 65 years, Nancy Weil from Calistoga. Russ continued to serve over 29 years in the Air Force, and also served a year in Vietnam from 1967-68. A long time 49ers fan, Russ held season tickets from 1959 until the team moved to Santa Clara. He also was a long-time volunteer at the Travis AFB pharmacy, an active member of the Druids and Elks clubs, and an avid model railroader. Russ also enjoyed traveling and seeing the world with his family. His priorities were family, God, Country and helping others. He is now with Nancy who left us December 19, 2015. Russ is survived five children: Jim (Julie), Dave (Dee), Terry (Sandy), Dan (Connie), and Maribeth (Rick). He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by grandchildren, Joseph and Ryan. He was a member of the Star of the Valley Catholic Church in Santa Rosa where a Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. March 5, 2016 with a reception following. Russ has requested in lieu of flowers donations be given to either the Star of the Valley Catholic Church Neighbor-to-Neighbor or the Fisher House Foundation.