Colonel Edward John Kelly III's Obituary
Colonel Edward John Kelly III (US Army retired) passed away peacefully at home on June 26th in Salt Lake City, Utah at 91.
Edward was born June 14th 1932 to Dorothy and Robert Kelly in New York City, New York. He attended Fairfield Prep and later Georgetown University where he participated in the ROTC program. He received a commission as a second lieutenant in 1954 which was the beginning of a 24-year military career.
He met the love of his life Janet Young on his first deployment in Nuremberg Germany. Lt. Colonel Wayne Budd Young summoned him to his office and told him he was a suitable young man to escort his daughter to an on-base function. Edward and Janet were married in 1958 at Fort Hood Texas. They raised four children at postings in Texas, Minnesota, the Pentagon, and Georgia. One particularly proud accomplishment of his career was earning his Ranger Tab.
He served in the Vietnam War from July 1967 to August 1968. For this service, he received a Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, a Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, a Valorous Unit Award, an Army Commendation Medal, a Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In 1978 he retired from the army at the rank of Colonel. Edward then moved his family out west. He held several managerial positions in eastern Nevada and Salt Lake City. In 2001 he retired from his job with the Newspaper Agency Corporation.
After the sudden death of his wife Janet in December 1997, he devoted much of his energy to helping care for and doting on his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling the country to visit family and attend 1st Cavalry Division Reunions. Edward supported numerous charities including the preservation of Civil War battlefields.
Edward was preceded in death by his wife Janet and his younger brother Robert J Kelly. He is survived by his daughter Anne Jungk (Robert), son Edward J Kelly IV (Janet), daughter Stephanie Kelly, son Luke Kelly (Sandy), and grandchildren Patrick, Megan, Ashley, Danielle, Emily, Claire, Penelope, and Cassandra.
The family wishes to thank Community Nursing Services and Beehive Home Health Care which helped make his final weeks as comfortable as possible.
A Funeral Mass will be held on July 28th, 11:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Salt Lake City. Interment will take place at Mount Cavalry Catholic Cemetery under the care of Neil O’Donnell Mortuary.
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