James Franklin (Jim) Kelley

James Franklin “Jim” Kelley, 79, of Washington, died on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at his home in Canton Township, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 17, 1932, on Kelley Road in Buffalo Twp., Washington, PA., a son of John Allen and Ruth Elizabeth Grandon Kelley. He attended school in Claysville, and married Mary Jane Roberts, also of Claysville, on March 17, 1954. Jim and Mary were married for over 50 years, when she passed away on November 16, 2004. Mr. Kelley served 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1976, with the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7). He was stationed in Germany twice (Frankfurt and Karlsruhe) and then went on to be stationed at Fort Ord, CA. He was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA., Fort Benning, GA., Fort Carson, CO., Occupation Forces Italy – Camp Darby, Korea and Vietnam. While in the Army, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Services Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), Expert Marksman (M14-M16 Rifle), and the Good Conduct Medal with 1st – 5th Awards. Mr. Kelley and his family made their home in Colorado Springs, CO., for nearly 40 years. After retiring from the Army, he worked for and retired from TRW Electronics. He was a volunteer for the Walt Fortman Community Center, in Fountain, CO, for many years; running the food pantry for families who had fallen on hard times. Mr. Kelly, and his wife, Mary, moved back to Washington, PA in the spring of 2002. He is also a member of the Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 of the American Legion, and the VFW. Surviving are 3 daughters, Peggy Kelley, of San Antonio, TX, Cheryl A. Kelley, of Colorado Springs, CO., and Mary J. (Kelley) Miller, of Washington; 6 grandchildren, Mary (Bruscia) Mosely, of Colorado Springs, CO., Jeremy C. Moore, of Hillsboro, OR, James Havener, of Virginia Beach, VA, Shannon (Bartosh) Sandoval, and Karen Havener, of San Antonio, TX., and Shawn Rogan, of Sherman Mills, ME., 9 great grandchildren, Markice Perry, Trivon Butler, Destinee, Kolbin, and Corvin Sandoval, Andrew and Kaunya Phillips, and Orion and Roland Moore; 5 brothers, Cyrus E. Kelley, Robert L. Kelley, Charles L. Kelley, and Lawrence D. Kelley, all of Washington and Richard Kelley, of Claysville, and his companion, Patricia Miller. Deceased are his wife, Mary, a daughter, Donna L. (Kelley) Rogan, his parents, John and Ruth Kelley, 2 brothers, John A. and Thomas J., 1 sister, Catherine E. (Kelley) Hemelrick, a grandson, John Rogan, Jr. and 1 great grandson, Baby Boy Mosely. Friends will be received on Wednesday, from 6 to 8 and Thursday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in the William G. Neal Funeral Homes, 925 Allison Ave., Washington, PA 15301, where services will be held on Friday, March 4, 2011, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Linda Mankey officiating. Burial will follow in Claysville Cemetery.