John Edward Kelly, 75, of Jasper, Tennessee died on Monday, January 28, 2013 in a Chattanooga hospital.
Mr. Ed Kelly was born to the late William Raymond and Edna Bell Kelly April 18, 1937 in Crossroads, Tn. He grew up on a dairy farm in New Hope, Tn., and after living in Nashville, Atlanta and parts of Florida, spent the last several decades in Jasper, Tn.
Ed traveled throughout the Southeast with the Seelbach Tree Company before returning to Marion County where he, along with brothers Tommy and Billy, established Kelly Bros. Construction in the mid-1960s. Through the years he and his brothers built and remodeled hundreds of homes in and around Marion County. He was a brilliant carpenter who shared his trade and taught dozens of others the skills of working with their hands. He was witty and had a comical way with words. He was a sweet and kind man who made all those around him feel special. Ed was beloved by all who knew him.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Imogene Kelly, and brothers, James “Jim” Albert, William “Billy” Raymond, and Charles Thomas “Tommy” Kelly. He is reunited in heaven with his beloved wife of 22 years, Barbara Faye Kelly.
Ed is survived by his son, John Kelly II, daughter-in-law, Christy Kelly, grandchildren, Carter, Tucker and Fallon Kelly, all of Chattanooga, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4-8 CST on Thursday, Jan. 31, at Rogers Funeral Home in Jasper. The funeral will be conducted at the Jasper Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home at 2 p.m. CST on Friday, Feb. 1. Interment will be New Hope Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, Tn. 38148 or stjude.org/tributes or 800 822-6344. Please indicate contributions be made through Tribute # 32705738.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.rogersfuneralhome.com.