Herman served in the Navy in World War II and in Korea. He was on board the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Coral Sea and Midway. After his swim he was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48). He participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait and witnessed the surrender of Japan at Tokyo Harbor. He married Helen Odelsa Wright in 1943.∼Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Herman A. Kelley, 88, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2010. He was preceded in death by his baby son, Terence A. Kelley in 1945 and his wife, H. Odelsa Kelley, in 2003. Herman, or "Herm" as he was better known, worked for the post office in Washington until his retirement in 1977.
Herm was born in DuQuoin, Illinois in 1922. He grew up there and in 1940 enlisted in the United States Navy. At the start of WWII he was stationed aboard the USS Yorktown, and served there until it's sinking at the Battle of Midway in 1942. He then served aboard the USS West Virginia until his discharge in 1946. Because of his patriotism, he reenlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay from 1951-1953.
While he was stationed in Bremerton, WA, before boarding the USS West Virginia, he met and married the love of his life, Del, on September 18, 1943. They were married for 60 years and spent those years in Vancouver, WA.
Herm was an active member and participant of various organizations and clubs, which included the American Legion Post 14, 40 & 8 Voiture 99, the Early Ford V-8 Club, the Model A Ford Club of American, the Portland Swap Meet Committee, and the Fort Vancouver Fourth of July Committee. Because of his fair-minded views and tireless involvement, he was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 14 in 1984, and Chef of the 40 & 8 in 1982
Herm was always a commanding presence, and we have many wonderful memories of him. When not involved with his many clubs and organizations, he could be found at home restoring antique cars, toiling in his various gardens and greenhouses and always being followed around by one of his many beloved dogs. Socially, both Herm and Del enjoyed many fun trips to Reno with all of their friends.
We love him, we miss him, but in our hearts he lives on forever and always.
Survivors include his two sons, Michael of Hampton, VA and Patrick of Vancouver, WA; and three grandchildren, Sean, Dani and Derek.
Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Smith Reynolds Post 14 of the American Legion, located at 4607 NE St. James, Vancouver, WA 98663. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Children's Welfare Fund via the 40 & 8 Voiture 99, 7607 NE 20th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665.
Herm was born in DuQuoin, Illinois in 1922. He grew up there and in 1940 enlisted in the United States Navy. At the start of WWII he was stationed aboard the USS Yorktown, and served there until it's sinking at the Battle of Midway in 1942. He then served aboard the USS West Virginia until his discharge in 1946. Because of his patriotism, he reenlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay from 1951-1953.
While he was stationed in Bremerton, WA, before boarding the USS West Virginia, he met and married the love of his life, Del, on September 18, 1943. They were married for 60 years and spent those years in Vancouver, WA.
Herm was an active member and participant of various organizations and clubs, which included the American Legion Post 14, 40 & 8 Voiture 99, the Early Ford V-8 Club, the Model A Ford Club of American, the Portland Swap Meet Committee, and the Fort Vancouver Fourth of July Committee. Because of his fair-minded views and tireless involvement, he was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 14 in 1984, and Chef of the 40 & 8 in 1982
Herm was always a commanding presence, and we have many wonderful memories of him. When not involved with his many clubs and organizations, he could be found at home restoring antique cars, toiling in his various gardens and greenhouses and always being followed around by one of his many beloved dogs. Socially, both Herm and Del enjoyed many fun trips to Reno with all of their friends.
We love him, we miss him, but in our hearts he lives on forever and always.
Survivors include his two sons, Michael of Hampton, VA and Patrick of Vancouver, WA; and three grandchildren, Sean, Dani and Derek.
Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Smith Reynolds Post 14 of the American Legion, located at 4607 NE St. James, Vancouver, WA 98663. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Children's Welfare Fund via the 40 & 8 Voiture 99, 7607 NE 20th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665.
Herman served in the Navy in World War II and in Korea. He was on board the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Coral Sea and Midway. After his swim he was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48). He participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait and witnessed the surrender of Japan at Tokyo Harbor. He married Helen Odelsa Wright in 1943.∼Beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Herman A. Kelley, 88, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2010. He was preceded in death by his baby son, Terence A. Kelley in 1945 and his wife, H. Odelsa Kelley, in 2003. Herman, or "Herm" as he was better known, worked for the post office in Washington until his retirement in 1977.
Herm was born in DuQuoin, Illinois in 1922. He grew up there and in 1940 enlisted in the United States Navy. At the start of WWII he was stationed aboard the USS Yorktown, and served there until it's sinking at the Battle of Midway in 1942. He then served aboard the USS West Virginia until his discharge in 1946. Because of his patriotism, he reenlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay from 1951-1953.
While he was stationed in Bremerton, WA, before boarding the USS West Virginia, he met and married the love of his life, Del, on September 18, 1943. They were married for 60 years and spent those years in Vancouver, WA.
Herm was an active member and participant of various organizations and clubs, which included the American Legion Post 14, 40 & 8 Voiture 99, the Early Ford V-8 Club, the Model A Ford Club of American, the Portland Swap Meet Committee, and the Fort Vancouver Fourth of July Committee. Because of his fair-minded views and tireless involvement, he was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 14 in 1984, and Chef of the 40 & 8 in 1982
Herm was always a commanding presence, and we have many wonderful memories of him. When not involved with his many clubs and organizations, he could be found at home restoring antique cars, toiling in his various gardens and greenhouses and always being followed around by one of his many beloved dogs. Socially, both Herm and Del enjoyed many fun trips to Reno with all of their friends.
We love him, we miss him, but in our hearts he lives on forever and always.
Survivors include his two sons, Michael of Hampton, VA and Patrick of Vancouver, WA; and three grandchildren, Sean, Dani and Derek.
Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Smith Reynolds Post 14 of the American Legion, located at 4607 NE St. James, Vancouver, WA 98663. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Children's Welfare Fund via the 40 & 8 Voiture 99, 7607 NE 20th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665.
Herm was born in DuQuoin, Illinois in 1922. He grew up there and in 1940 enlisted in the United States Navy. At the start of WWII he was stationed aboard the USS Yorktown, and served there until it's sinking at the Battle of Midway in 1942. He then served aboard the USS West Virginia until his discharge in 1946. Because of his patriotism, he reenlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay from 1951-1953.
While he was stationed in Bremerton, WA, before boarding the USS West Virginia, he met and married the love of his life, Del, on September 18, 1943. They were married for 60 years and spent those years in Vancouver, WA.
Herm was an active member and participant of various organizations and clubs, which included the American Legion Post 14, 40 & 8 Voiture 99, the Early Ford V-8 Club, the Model A Ford Club of American, the Portland Swap Meet Committee, and the Fort Vancouver Fourth of July Committee. Because of his fair-minded views and tireless involvement, he was elected Commander of the American Legion Post 14 in 1984, and Chef of the 40 & 8 in 1982
Herm was always a commanding presence, and we have many wonderful memories of him. When not involved with his many clubs and organizations, he could be found at home restoring antique cars, toiling in his various gardens and greenhouses and always being followed around by one of his many beloved dogs. Socially, both Herm and Del enjoyed many fun trips to Reno with all of their friends.
We love him, we miss him, but in our hearts he lives on forever and always.
Survivors include his two sons, Michael of Hampton, VA and Patrick of Vancouver, WA; and three grandchildren, Sean, Dani and Derek.
Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Smith Reynolds Post 14 of the American Legion, located at 4607 NE St. James, Vancouver, WA 98663. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Children's Welfare Fund via the 40 & 8 Voiture 99, 7607 NE 20th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665.
