Mr. Donald Gene Kelly

KELLY, Mr. Donald - Age 84, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at his residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, 1851 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Pastor Kenneth L. Stewart, officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4200 Belford Rd., Holly MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Wednesday. Mr. Kelly will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM Tuesday. Mr. Donald Gene Kelly affectionately known as “Wayne” by his family was born November 18, 1934 in Muskegon Heights, MI, to the late Mr. Harry and Mrs. Mary Kelly. Mr. Donald Gene Kelly attended Muskegon Heights Public Schools. He joined the United States Army, July of 1954, where he served in the Korean War and received an Honorable Discharge. Mr. Kelly was a Brick Layer at Causey Asphalt and Paving in Pontiac, MI before being hired into Buick Motor Company, a division of General Motors Corporation in 1968, retiring after 34 years of service. He was a member of the UAW Local #599. Mr. Kelly was an avid boxer (he had them hands), while serving in the Army he won a Golden Gloves Championship, he was also a part of the Flint Pal Boxing League training staff, Don was also an avid baseball player, where he played every position except pitching, no matter what team or who his teammates were, he was always the fastest on the team. Later in life, Mr. Kelly played softball in the 50 and over league and also played and coached alongside 2 of his daughters for several years winning numerous co-ed softball championships. He also enjoyed fishing, boating and dancing. Mr. Kelly was a member of the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church, where he was baptized under the leadership of Pastor Kenneth L. Stewart. He was known to many as a Great Man who loved his family, had a funny sense of humor, dependable and one who always had a story to tell. Mr. Donald Gene Kelly leaves to cherish his memory: children, sons, Daryl Kelly, Sr. of Milwaukee, WI and Charles Kennebrew, Sr. of Houston, TX; daughters, Sherry (Emmanuel) Smith of Pontiac, MI, Donnetta Moore of Mt. Morris, MI, DaShundra Kelly, Sheree Kelly and Danielle (Derrick) Coleman, all of Flint, MI; 21 grandchildren including special granddaughters, Lonise Coulter and Tyicca Dacosta and special grandson, DeSean Lester; 16 great-grandchildren including special great-grandson, Na’Khari Coulter; 4 sisters, Shirley Malone, Dorothy Short, Helen Wyatt and Patricia (Robert) Simmons; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mr. Kelly was preceded in death by his father, Harry Kelly; mother, Mary Grace; daughter, Sharon Carson; grandson, Daryl Kelly, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Aniyah Coulter; brother, Ralph Grace; sisters, Betty Kelly, Mary Alice Davis and Lugenia Benion. The family would like to extend a Heartfelt Thank You to his nieces, Kathy Lard and Marcy Johnson who helped take care of him during his illness, Casaundra Atkinson, Loranda Smith, Dorothy Diaz, Pastor Kenneth L. Stewart and the House of Prayer Missionary Baptist Church family.

Mr. Donald Gene Kelly

November 18, 1934 - May 8, 2019