Wendell James Kelley was born January 28, 1920, in Lexington, Oklahoma (Cleveland County), son of Simon James Kelley and Lula Belle Morrell. The 1930 Federal Census for Lexington, Oklahoma (Cleveland County) (E.D. 6) enumerated on April 28, 1930, shows Wendell J. Kelley, age 10, born in Oklahoma, living with his parents and siblings. His father, Simon, was age 40, a farmer, born in Oklahoma, and his mother, Lula, was age 36, born in Tennessee. Wendell had four siblings living in the household: Juanita, age 15; Monace, age 11; Fredona, age 7; and Peggy, age 9 months; all born in Oklahoma.
In 1943, Wendell married Mary Elizabeth Litson, who was born April 30, 1920, in Guthrie, Oklahoma (Logan County), daughter of Perry A. Litson and Zula Carter.
Wendell served in the Army Air Corps/Air Forces in World War II and subsequently in the U.S. Air Force in Korea. At the time of his death, he was serving in England in the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing. He advanced to the rank of Colonel and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters.
Wendell died on January 15, 1963, at Wethersfield Air Force Base in Upper Heyford, England and was buried on January 26, 1963, in the Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Oklahoma. His wife, Mary, died on May 13, 2000, in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and was buried in Lexington Cemetery beside her husband.
Wendell James Kelley was born January 28, 1920, in Lexington, Oklahoma (Cleveland County), son of Simon James Kelley and Lula Belle Morrell. The 1930 Federal Census for Lexington, Oklahoma (Cleveland County) (E.D. 6) enumerated on April 28, 1930, shows Wendell J. Kelley, age 10, born in Oklahoma, living with his parents and siblings. His father, Simon, was age 40, a farmer, born in Oklahoma, and his mother, Lula, was age 36, born in Tennessee. Wendell had four siblings living in the household: Juanita, age 15; Monace, age 11; Fredona, age 7; and Peggy, age 9 months; all born in Oklahoma.
In 1943, Wendell married Mary Elizabeth Litson, who was born April 30, 1920, in Guthrie, Oklahoma (Logan County), daughter of Perry A. Litson and Zula Carter.
Wendell served in the Army Air Corps/Air Forces in World War II and subsequently in the U.S. Air Force in Korea. At the time of his death, he was serving in England in the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing. He advanced to the rank of Colonel and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters.
Wendell died on January 15, 1963, at Wethersfield Air Force Base in Upper Heyford, England and was buried on January 26, 1963, in the Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Oklahoma. His wife, Mary, died on May 13, 2000, in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and was buried in Lexington Cemetery beside her husband.
Inscription
England
Colonel, 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, Air Force
World War II and Korea
Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Family Members
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