Frank was the son of the late Henry H. Kelly and Retha Ward Kelly. His siblings were Harold Everett Kelly and James Henry Kelly. Frank played basketball and football for Furman University, SC. He was also a WWII veteran having served in the USMC. Frank, a Softball Comissioner, was inducted into the NC Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 1991 and was an avid supporter his entire life. He was Athletic Director for the city of Wilmington, NC for 20 years. He was also president of the Wilmington Optimist Club. Mr. Kelly was retired from the City of Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation as Athletic Director, was a veteran of the U S Marine Corps and attended Furman University with a scholarship in football and also played basketball. He was a member and past president of the Wilmington Optomist Club, former District Commissioner for the N C Amateur Softball Leauge and was instrumental in forming the Pop Warner Football Leauge in Wilmington. Frank took much pride and joy in helping youth excel through athlectics. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Davis Kelly of Wilmington; daughters, Margaret Elizabeth (Beth) Kelly-Lafon and husband Artie of Burgaw, Donna Kelly of Wilmington; son, Dwight H. Kelly of Florida. Grandchildren Sara Milligan, Lauren Lafon-Lonergan, Thad Smith, Austin Lafon and Rachel Ward; and great-grandchildren, Noah Riley Cox, Avery C. Lonergan, Joseph Tanner Lonergan and Conner Nigel. He is deeply missed and loved by all. He was a great and wonderful man.
Cause of death: Heart attack
Cause of death: Heart attack
Frank was the son of the late Henry H. Kelly and Retha Ward Kelly. His siblings were Harold Everett Kelly and James Henry Kelly. Frank played basketball and football for Furman University, SC. He was also a WWII veteran having served in the USMC. Frank, a Softball Comissioner, was inducted into the NC Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 1991 and was an avid supporter his entire life. He was Athletic Director for the city of Wilmington, NC for 20 years. He was also president of the Wilmington Optimist Club. Mr. Kelly was retired from the City of Wilmington Department of Parks and Recreation as Athletic Director, was a veteran of the U S Marine Corps and attended Furman University with a scholarship in football and also played basketball. He was a member and past president of the Wilmington Optomist Club, former District Commissioner for the N C Amateur Softball Leauge and was instrumental in forming the Pop Warner Football Leauge in Wilmington. Frank took much pride and joy in helping youth excel through athlectics. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Davis Kelly of Wilmington; daughters, Margaret Elizabeth (Beth) Kelly-Lafon and husband Artie of Burgaw, Donna Kelly of Wilmington; son, Dwight H. Kelly of Florida. Grandchildren Sara Milligan, Lauren Lafon-Lonergan, Thad Smith, Austin Lafon and Rachel Ward; and great-grandchildren, Noah Riley Cox, Avery C. Lonergan, Joseph Tanner Lonergan and Conner Nigel. He is deeply missed and loved by all. He was a great and wonderful man.
Cause of death: Heart attack
Cause of death: Heart attack
Inscription
US Marine Corps
A Big Man In Every Way
