Hiram Kelley

ROME — Hiram Frank Kelley was born on Dec. 8, 1929 in Rome, Ga. to William and Clara Kelley. He lost his father, a Baptist minister and machinist, when he was eight. Since the depression was so difficult and even more savage for a single mom with four children, one can understand why she signed for her patriotic son to join the Army Air Force at fifteen years of age. After the war he studied at a trade school in Gadsden, Ala., where he would meet the love of his life, Alice Stewart. Her mother would play a major role in his life, since it was she who led him to the Lord and taught him the importance of prayer and church. Shortly afterward, in 1948, Alice and he would wed, and a year later their first son, David Kelley, was born in Gadsden, Ala. Realizing job opportunities were much better in the North, he moved to Detroit and secured a job at Chevrolet, where he would spend the rest of his 33 year employment career. He rose rapidly through the ranks until he was over the Creative Services Division, the division that did much advertising for Chevrolet. During this time he moved his family to Warren, Mich., a northern suburb of Detroit, and had two more children, Charles Kelley and then Stephen Kelley, both born in Detroit, Mich. It was during this time he also became very active in his local church, serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Clerk, Councilman, and teacher. He also took a special interest in the youth of the church, becoming a mentor for numerous teenagers. Some of them still maintained contact over the years, because of the positive influence he had on their lives. When he retired he initially moved to Cleveland, Tenn. While there he became involved as the Financial Officer with the American Legion, and eventually becoming the commander of the Forty and Eight. Then, desiring to be nearer to relatives in Rome, Georgia and Gadsden, Alabama, he and his wife moved to Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Perhaps nothing could be said any better about him than what his daughter-in-law, Fran Kelley, late wife of David Kelley, once said: “I call him ‘dad’ because he’s the most perfect father-figure I could ever imagine. He has always been faithful to his wife, loyal to his children, a Godly example to his family and community. Since my own family is now gone, I cannot think of a man I’m more proud of than him to call my father.” Hiram Frank Kelley is preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Clara Kelley; his stepfather, Jim Melton; his sisters, Ruth and Mattie; his brother, Richard; and his daughter-in-law, Fran Kelley, David’s late wife. He is survived by his wife, Alice; his three sons, David, Charles and Stephen; David’s daughter, Jennifer and her husband Ryan; Charles’ wife, Susan; Charles’ children, Heather Gulliage and her husband David, Melissa Kosky, Michael Mouilleseaux; Charles’ grandchildren, Henry and Leo Kosky; Stephen’s child, Stephen Jr., and his wife, Claire and their children, Kingston and Langston. Condolences may be sent to www.lane-southcrestchapel. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the South Crest Chapel with Reverend Wayne Finnell officiating. Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4-8p.m. at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory, located at the end of historic Missionary Ridge, Rossville.