James Robert “Bob” Kelley, Jr., 76, of Phenix City, Alabama, passed away on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in the SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, North Carolina. He was born on April 23, 1945, in Fort Rucker, Alabama, he was the son of the late James Robert Kelley and Ruth Underwood Kelley of Salem, WV.
He is preceded in death by his sons, James Robert Kelley III and Christopher Michael Kelley.
James was a retired United States Army Veteran, SGT First Class, who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. He later retired from a career as a teacher in auto mechanics at Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama. He greatly enjoyed hunting and until recent years was an active member of a hunting club for which he also served as treasurer.
“It’s a rough life, but someone’s gotta live it.” – Bob Kelley.
He is survived by the mother of his children Catherine C. Kelley, his children; Patrick Lee Kelley of Clayton, North Carolina, Deanna Deloris Miller (husband Jeremy) of Wendell, North Carolina, his grandchildren; Allison Nicole Renteria, Alex James Miller and his great-granddaughter; Scarlett Renteria.
A graveside service will be held at K of P Cemetery in Salem on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 1:00 PM with military honors accorded by the Taylor County Honor Guard and the US Army Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences can be made at www.davisfuneralhomesalemwv.com Davis Funeral Home Salem is honored to serve the Kelley family.