Jack Kelley, of Fayetteville, N.C., was born in Orlando, Florida on July 8, 1937. A member of the Boy Scouts of America, he was awarded the Eagle Scout badge. He graduated from The Citadel in 1959 and was commissioned as a 2d Lt of Infantry in the US Army. In December 1979, he retired from the U.S. Army as Lt. Colonel after twenty years of service. He commanded parachute infantry units at platoon, company, and battalion levels where his last two assignments were as a Battalion Commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and finally, as Deputy Commander, 5th Special Forces (“Green Berets”). Jack was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for Valor with six Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with eleventh Award, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He also was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge Senior Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Aircrew Badge. the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and both the Joint and Army Staff Identification Badges.
He earned Master’s Degrees from American University and Central Michigan. He served as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and as an Adjunct Professor at both Webster University and Campbell University. Jack served as the Executive Director of Men’s Ministries of the Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), a position he held from 1985 to 2005 and was one of the founders of Men’s Ministries. In 2006, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries as well as the Commander Bill Linn Award from the Royal Ranger Ministry (IPHC) for shaping the lives of boys. He also served as the Vice President of Advancement/Director of Development for Holmes Bible College from April 2007 to December 31, 2008. He was a member of the President’s Cabinet, Carolina College of Biblical Studies. He was recognized by the All-American Airborne Awards organization as well as the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association for Man of the Year. In June 2016 he was recognized by the Secretary of the Army as a Distinguished Member of the 503rd Infantry (Airborne) Regiment. Jack was a lifetime member of the Citadel Alumni Association.
He authored Bonded in Battle, a book on a battle that he was involved in as a company commander in Vietnam, and Here I Am, Send Me – The First Twenty Years of Men’s Ministry, a history of the beginning of Men’s Ministries on the IPHC.
He was a member of the Bragg Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Jack was a member of the Northwood Temple Pentecostal Holiness church, where he served as an Associate Pastor.
His wife, Lynn, of 61 years preceded him in death in April 2022. He is survived by his two sons, Jack Jr. (wife Elaine) and Shawn Kelley (wife Áine), three grandsons Dillon, Turner, Liam, and granddaughter Dr. Jessica Walsh O’Sullivan. He is predeceased by his parents and brother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northwood Temple Church, The Citadel (Class of 59 Scholarship, and/or The Citadel).
Funeral services will be Saturday, November 26th at 1:00pm at Northwood Temple Church, 4250 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC. Visitation will precede the service at 12:00pm.
Posted in: Charlotte Observer
Posted on: 2022-11-21
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/charlotte/name/jack-kelley-obituary?n=jack-kelley&pid=203250084&fhid=14879