F. Patrick Kelly

F. Patrick Kelly age 84, longtime Bloomingdale resident, passed away in his sleep at home with family near by in the early morning hours of August 2nd, 2023. After his battle with lung cancer. Patrick (Pat or PK as he was known) was born in Chicago, Illinois September 12th, 1938 to Catherine Mary Gibbons Kelly and Francis (Frank) Kelly. Pat, his mother, brother Jim and extended family moved to Bloomingdale Michigan when the boys were young. Other family members had already established in the area. He graduated from Bloomingdale High School in 1957, where he was a standout athlete. He played a number of sports but excelled at football. He even had a season on the team at K college before starting his family with former wife Judith A. Rock Johnson. Almost anything to do with guns was Pat's forte'. Anything EXCEPT HUNTING that is! Target practice, trap shooting, Smithing, and reloading were right up his alley. PK was an animal lover and always had dogs, cats and other creatures as pets in his home. In his younger years (before becoming disabled with spinal disease), he enjoyed scuba diving and was proud to have dove on several material recovery missions, in the early decades of the sport. Physical fitness was always important and he really liked working out. Pat had a thirst for knowledge, was an avid reader with a fascination for astronomy. He tried his best to make life fun for his children. Summers in the beach in South Haven, or out on the big lake boating with friends. Weekends at the Conservation Club or horseback riding. Snow mobiles, tobaggans and ice fishing in the winters Pat's working career was with Fuller's/Eaton Corporation as a furnace fireman. Flex PK Flex! PK battled lung cancer and kicked it back much longer than the doctors ever expected. He is preceded in death by his beloved mother Catherine (aka Kelly), his brother James Edward Kelly and his eldest daughter Coleen Ann Kelly Levdan. Surviving are his son James R.Dracy of Kalamazoo. Daughter Brigene Marie Kelly-Rick, son in law James A. Rick and grandson Travis J. Rick all of Bloomingdale. His son John Rock Kelly, and daughter in law Melanie Rose Kelly of Gobles. Grand daughters Rachel M. Kelly, Lauren S. Kelly and great grandson River M.R. Cooper. Nieces Shannon M. Kelly, Tara N. Kelly -Dills and their families of Oregon. Cousins Francis St. Patrick (Candy) Foy of Ski Island, Oklahoma, and Kathy (know to Pat as Kate), (Robert) Richardson of Bloomingdale. As well as Coleen's widowed husband Michael Levdan of Grand Rapids An independent minded man, who still kept his family and friends close to his heart.

A celebration of his life is planned for Saturday August 19th from 2-5 at the Bloomingdale Conservation Club

Please join the family in sharing memories of Pat.

Donations in PK's honour could go to the Humane society of Michigan, Defenders of Wildlife (he had an affinity for wolves) or Saint Jude's. His favorite charities.