Memorial
Dan Murray Kelley (89) passed away on September 2, 2022, in Fort Worth, Texas. Dan was born October 1, 1932, on his family’s farm in Van Zandt County, Texas. His parents were Dwight Murray Kelley and Lundie Beal Kelley. He graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas, Texas in 1949. His first job in 1949 was at Neiman Marcus in Dallas, Texas. He joined the Navy in 1952 and worked in Naval Aviation until his honorable discharge in 1959. While serving his country, he attended the University of Alabama. He married Peggy Dean Gassaway at Alameda Naval Air Station Chapel in Alameda, California on June 26, 1953. He is survived by his two daughters-Julie Kelley Brantley (Mike) and Terri Kelley Lester (Scott), six grandchildren-Kari Hughes (Evan), Kelli Purdin (Travis), Taylor Brantley (Kendall), Daniel Lester (Desiree), Andrew Lester, Erin Cervera (Matthew), and 8 great-grandchildren-Jack, Ki, Claire, Levi, Joseph, Olivia, Alyssa and Kinley and two sisters-Dwight Hudler of Mesquite, Texas and Linda McComas of Flower Mound, Texas and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
After Dan’s honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked for RCA, and Collins Radio (Rockwell International) until he retired. He was a member of the Apollo program where he provided product support in communications on several missions. He was a committed member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for over 50 years. He loved to travel with his wife and friends and visited more than 30 countries, 10 of 12 Canadian Provinces, and all 50 states. He enjoyed a yearly tradition of spending one week on the beaches of St. George Island, Florida along with his entire family for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, his parents and sister Pat Klein (Virgil) and
brother-in-law Marvin Hudler.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1900 F Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405 on Friday, September 9, 2022. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by the service at 11:00 am. Burial with military rites will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 1900 F Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405.