John Kelley, Jr.

John D. Kelley Jr., 85, of Akron, Ohio passed away Wednesday May 16, 2018. He was born on September 27, 1932 in Cincinnati to the late John and Elsie Kelley. John married his beloved wife Joan on July 31, 1954. They were married for 56 years before Joan passed away on February 3, 2010. John was a graduate of Western Hills High School and Miami University (Ohio).He served in the United States Air Force for 4 years as a navigator. After serving in the Air Force, he began his professional career in tire engineering at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. John continued his career at General Tire/ Continental Tire, where he was executive vice president of worldwide research and development until he retired. He had a strong Catholic faith and was a member of St. Sebastian parish where he served as the president of the parish foundation for many years. John established a scholarship endowment at St. Sebastian for underprivileged students in his and his wife's name. Joan and he recited the rosary nightly and he continued to do so after her death. He was also a member of Fairlawn Country Club for 38 years. His greatest joys were his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved the annual beach trips of 20 years with his entire family. John's favorite sport was golf, which he loved playing with his children and friends. He also enjoyed annual fishing trips with his good friends. Another one of John's enjoyments was being a world traveler for both work and pleasure with his wife. He volunteered at Hoban High School where all four of his children attended. He also tutored grade school students in math and delivered food for the Hunger Center of Akron for years. John was a humble, compassionate, loving person. He was very generous, thoughtful and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was a gentleman with a great sense of integrity. He was most of all a wonderful husband and father, a man to pattern your life after. He is preceded in death by his wife Joan, his grandson Jimmy Lyons and his brother Robert Lee Kelley. He is survived by his children, Jim (Joan), Paul (Sue), Jack (Jean) and Mary (Jim) Lyons. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Paul Kelley, Shannon (Chip) Carey, Michelle (James) Tackett, Thomas (Jourdan) Moore, Lauren Kelley, Patrick (Ainsley)Kelley, Kathleen Kelley (Chris Lieder), Brian Kelley and Bradley Lyons; his great grandchildren Heleena and Evelyn Gunnels, Atlas Moore and his cherished friend, Joan Kramer. Calling hours will be 4-7pm Wednesday at the Hummel Funeral Home 500 E. Exchange St. Akron, Ohio 44304. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00am Thursday at St. Sebastian Church, 476 Mull Ave, Akron, Ohio 44320. Burial will take place immediately following the mass at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John and Joan Kelley Scholarship Endowment Fund of St. Sebastian's, Jimmy Lyons Memorial Fund at Walsh Jesuit High School and BriansHope.org.