Lt. Col. (ret.) Joseph Donald "Don" Kelly, passed away peacefully at the age of 82, on October 28, 2017. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, father-in-law, and uncle. His calm demeanor and sweet smile will be greatly missed by family and friends.Don was born on November 28, 1934 in Rabun Gap, Georgia, to Frank Ray Kelly and Elizabeth Mize Kelly. He graduated from Rabun Gap Nacoochee School in 1952 and later served on the board of trustees. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1957 where he was an active member of Lamba Chi Alpha Fraternity. He later returned to Georgia Tech and obtained a master's degree.He served 20 years in the United States Army around the world including Washington, D.C., Korea, Germany, Vietnam, and Philadelphia, PA. During his career, he received numerous accolades including the Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.After retirement from the army, Don worked with Parsons, Brinkerhoff, and Tudor engineering Consulting firm in Atlanta until his retirement in 2001.He is survived by, his wife and soulmate of sixty wonderful years, Terressa "Terre" Kelly; daughter, Lisa Kelly Chartrand; sons, Mark Joseph Kelly and Dr. Scott Alan Kelly; grandchildren, Jordan Chartrand Phillips, Taylor Chartrand, Christian Chartrand, Brett Chartrand, Caelyn Kelly, and Elizabeth Kelly; great grandchildren, Ruby and Leela Phillips.Funeral services will be conducted at H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill Chapel on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 3:00PM with visitation being held 1 hour prior. A committal service will conducted at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 11:30AM with full military honors.A special thank you to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care, and Fountainview Center for Alzheimer's Disease staff for their unwavering compassion and support. Kelly, Joseph Donald "Don"
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