Air Force Technical Sergeant Rodger O Kelley, born July of 1947, in Reform, Alabama, beloved son of the late Clyde and Christine Kelly; beloved husband of Cathy Sylvia Kelley.
After graduating from Palmetto High School in 1965, Rodger joined the United States Air Force. A combat veteran of the Vietnam War, he earned the rank of Technical Sergeant. With 20 years of service under his belt, Rodger retired from the Air Force and poured himself into his civilian job and his family. He was formerly employed as a quality control inspector for Mercedes.
Rodger O. Kelley was a man of great strength. Life had handed him many challenges over the years, and he conquered them one by one.
However, Rodger was a tortured soul. Although haunted by nightmares from his 366-day tour of duty in Vietnam, Rodger refused to give up. Even after his first wife committed suicide in 1974, and his oldest son died in a terrible car accident in March 1987, Rodger denied his demons’ demands to quit.
His friends knew him not only as a loving husband and father, but also as a proud Air Force veteran who loved his country.
TSgt Rodger O Kelley lost his battle with PTS, April 9, 2014. He was 66 years old.
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Thinking of his family and friends. My love to them. May they find peace in the knowledge that they are not alone and many people support them and are grateful to a man who so selflessly defended his nation. May he rest in peace.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Rodger is my daddy and to say I’m proud to be his daughter would be an understatement. Some people never meet or have to wait a lifetime to meet their hero. I’m so honored that I call my hero DADDY!!!!
Godspeed Brother, Rest in Peace and know that YOU did make a difference and all who see these comments will feel for the loss of your family
I grew up with Roger and his brothers and sisters, we were real good friends. Miss Russell and Roger!