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Timeline for Joseph Lee Kelley
Born: May 5, 1955
Died: November 17, 2017
Joe was born in Tucson, AZ to Harold S Kelley and Jesse Margaret Kelley at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He is predeceased by parents and first wife, Deborah June Fruth-Kelley. Joe married Dianne Marie Schmidt Kelley on January 3, 1998. Together they share five children, Jocelyn Lopez (Carlos), Jessica Oaks (David), Kristeen McGinley, Jason Kelley (Mackenzie Smith) and Matthew McGinley, and five grandchildren. Joe is also survived by sisters, Linda (John) Ryberg, Kathleen (Rick) McFarland, Luann (David) Reiter, Loralee (Charles “Speedy”) Dawson, brother Harold (Debbie) Kelley and numerous nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Flowing Wells High School, Joe joined the Navy, where he served for 4 years, ending his term of service in Okinawa, Japan. He was a proud veteran, and served on the Board of Directors for the Vietnam Vets, Tucson Chapter.
Joe was a man of many talents. He had an eye for beauty and had taken up photography at one point. Joe loved hunting and fishing, and spent time in northern Idaho, loving the forest and woods. He and Dianne also spent time on the California coast and have many fond memories of their time there.
One of Joe’s big passions was teaching Bible classes at his church. He started teaching as a young married at Casas Church and later, he and Dianne team taught both in Single Parents ministry and general classes, most recently at New Life Bible Fellowship.
He and his wife, Dianne, ran their own business. Sandbrook Benefits Group, LLC. Joe was the VP of Operations and ran the back office, making sure the technology was up to date and running smoothly. Dianne will continue to run the company, continuing his legacy of giving.
Celebration of Life will be Friday, December 15, 2017, at New Life Bible Fellowship, 4900 W. Cortaro Farms Rd. at 3 p.m.
Having found out of Joe’s passing, I would like to offer his family my sincere sympathies. I met Joe as a senior in high school at Flowing Wells, myself a shy student having landed in Tucson with my emigrating family in August 1972, being lucky to have made friends with my friend Debbie and tall and handsome Joe. Even though many years separated us following graduation I was fortunate to meet Joe again, and know how much he remained true to himself, a smart, caring, and lovely man. I am sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to each member of Joe’s family. With affection from Canada. Danielle Charbonneau Flowing Wells H. S. ‘73
Dear Dianne and family, I send you my sincere condolences. Thankfully you can take comfort that our Christian loved ones who went before us are now in paradise with Jesus.
My father, Joseph, was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital and my mother’s name is Deborah June Fruth-Kelley.
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Having found out of Joe’s passing, I would like to offer his family my sincere sympathies. I met Joe as a senior in high school at Flowing Wells, myself a shy student having landed in Tucson with my emigrating family in August 1972, being lucky to have made friends with my friend Debbie and tall and handsome Joe. Even though many years separated us following graduation I was fortunate to meet Joe again, and know how much he remained true to himself, a smart, caring, and lovely man. I am sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to each member of Joe’s family. With affection from Canada. Danielle Charbonneau Flowing Wells H. S. ‘73
Dear Dianne and family, I send you my sincere condolences. Thankfully you can take comfort that our Christian loved ones who went before us are now in paradise with Jesus.
My father, Joseph, was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital and my mother’s name is Deborah June Fruth-Kelley.
Marana Mortuary & Cemetery
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.