F. Patrick Kelly

F. Patrick Kelly, age 84, long-time Bloomingdale resident, passed away in his sleep at home with family nearby, in the early morning hours of August 2nd, 2023. Patrick (Pat or PK as he was often known) was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 12,1938, to Catherine Mary Gibbons Kelly and Francis (Frank) Kelly. Pat, his mother, brother 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 Ann Rock Johnson. Almost anything to do with guns was his forte. Anything but 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 diseases), 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, he really enjoyed working out. Pat had a thirst for knowledge, was an avid reader and was fascinated with Astronomy. He tried his best to make life fun for his children. Summers at the beach in South Haven, or out on the big lake boating with friends. Pat enjoyed weekends at the Conservation Club or horseback riding and snowmobiles, toboggans and ice fishing in the winter. Pat’s working career was with Fullers/Eaton Corporation as a furnace fireman. PK battled lung cancer and kicked it back much longer than the doctors ever expected. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Catherine (aka Kelly); his brother, Jim (James Edward Kelly); and his eldest daughter, Coleen Ann Kelly Levdan. Surviving is his son, James R Dracy (Patrick James Kelly) of Kalamazoo; daughter, Brigene Marie Kelly-Rick; son-in-law, James Alan Rick; and grandson, Travis J. Rick, all of Bloomingdale; his son, John Rock Kelly, and daughter-in-law, Melanie Rose Kelly, of Gobles; granddaughters, Rachel Marie Kelly, Lauren Suzanne Kelly; and great grandson, River Marvin Rock Cooper; nieces, Shannon Michelle Kelly, Tara Nicole Kelly-Dills and their families, of Oregon; cousins, Francis (Candy) Foy of Ski Island, Oklahoma and Kathy (known to Pat as Kate) Gibbons (Robert) Richardson of Bloomingdale; as well as Coleen’s widowed husband, Michael Levdan, of Grand Rapids. Pat was an independent-minded person who still kept his family and friends close to his heart. A celebration of his life is being planned for August 19th, 2023 at the Bloomingdale Conservation Club from 2-5 PM. Donations in PK’s honor could go to The Humane Society of Michigan, Defenders of Wild-life (he had an affinity for wolves), or Saint Jude’s -- his favorite charities. Arrangements by the Bloomingdale Chapel, D. L. Miller Funeral Home; www.dlmillerfuneralhome.com.

F. Patrick Kelly

September 12, 1938 - August 2, 2023