Col. Albert C. Kelley, Jr.

Col. Albert C. Kelley, Jr., 91, of Chattanooga died, May 29, 2018.

He was born in Somerville, TN on June 13, 1926 to the late Albert Clifford Kelley, Sr. and Mary Theresa Gibson.

He joined the Merchant Marines at 15, served in New Orleans, then returned home to finish high school.

He was a veteran of World War II serving in Eastern Europe with the 3rd Army Division. 

After his discharge from service, he went to work for TVA in Nashville and later Chattanooga and received his electrical engineering degree from University of Tennessee.

He married Dorothy Mae Griffin and was promptly called to serve in the Korean War where he served with the 6147th TAC Con Group and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He returned to Chattanooga and TVA before moving to the Electric Power Board where he was over the Substation and Underground Dept.   He later opened a John Deere Industrial Dealership.

He had continued his Army career in the 3397th Reserve Unit advancing to the rank of Colonel and the Commanding Officer.  He retired from that position and became active in the Retired Officers Association.  

In his later years he returned to electrical engineering and worked for several companies before finally retiring from Triad Electrical at the age of 80.

Col. Kelley was an avid hunter and sportsman.   He enjoyed serving in the community and was active in a number of civic groups as well as the IBEW where he was an instructor and mentor.    He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  sisters, Mary Jean Davis and Pat Parks.

Survivors are his wife of 66 years, Dorothy G. Kelley;  daughters, Karen K. Porter and Shannon K. Sullivan all of Chattanooga;  grandsons, Graham M. Porter (Stephanie) and Corey A. Porter (Jennifer) of Colorado;  granddaughters, Colleen Sullivan and Danielle Sullivan of Chattanooga; 5 great-grandchildren; brothers, John Kelley of Memphis and Bill Kelley of San Diego;  sister, Rhetta Vlink of Milan, TN.

Services will be held Monday, June 4 at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. David Hall officiating.  Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be may to any of the Veteran organizations, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Christ United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank all of the many caregivers who have been a huge support to the family over the last several years.

You may visit heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences and view the memorial tribute.

The family will receive friends Sunday, June 3 from 2-4 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.