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In Memory

Owen A. Kelly

Owen A. Kelly

Deceased May 13, 2009.

Owen Aloysius Kelly III, 60, of Bath, Ohio, passed on to a glorious life with Christ in Heaven on May 13, 2009.

He was born to Owen Aloysius Kelly Junior and Margaret Mary Gill on June 5, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio. Owen graduated from Rocky River High School and attended Ohio State University.

Owen was the oldest of six children and 32 grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters, Lisa Kelly Woodruff and Emily Marie Kelly; his son-in-law, Gregory C. Woodruff; and his two grandchildren, Joseph Job Woodruff and Abigail Elizabeth Woodruff. Also surviving him are his sisters, Karen, Sheila, Maurita, Mary Pat, his brother, Brendan, and his brothers-in-law, Pat and Gary. His mother and father-in-law, Charlotte and David Pfitzenmaier survive him, as well as his high school sweetheart, Linda Lighton Kelly.

He served his country in the United States Army and just last year installed a 40' flagpole in his front yard. He was very proud to be an American.

Owen was a very successful salesman, earning the honor of youngest Zone Manager in the United States by the age of 34, when he worked for SCM Corporation. He was hired as the Vice President of Sales at Alcon Tool Company of Akron, Ohio in 1985 and went on to purchase a share in the partnership. He served as President of Alcon until the end of his career. He was a member of the Machine Knife Association and served as President in 1991-1992, and from 2003-2006.

In his early days, he was a caddy. He was a fantastic golfer. He won the Club Championship at Fairlawn Country Club in 1988, following in his mother's footsteps, and was President there from 1990-1991, where he and his good friend, Ed Howard, undertook a tremendous remodeling project. Owen was an "idea man" and would have made a terrific architect.

He was very involved with Northeast Ohio Golf Charities/NEC Invitational and served as the Vice President and on the Board of Trustees. He was a member of Firestone Country Club. He was very involved with many other charities including the Boy Scouts of America, The Interval Brotherhood Home, and The Chapel in Akron.

He believed heavily in giving back to his community.

He always "fought the good fight." He was awarded the citizen of the Year award from the Summit County Sheriff's Office in 2007 and graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy in 2008.

He very much enjoyed the time that he spent in Southern California and his very favorite place in the world was Sharon Golf Club.

He never met a stranger. He was a friend to ALL, and loved by many.

He worked hard and was very determined and focused, but he never took himself too seriously. He had us all in stitches right up until his dying day.

He loved to watch the Browns on Sunday and his cars were meticulously maintained, as was his life. He described himself as "organized to the max, but full of love."

His favorite Bible verse was, "God is love" (1 John 4:8). He lived his life to make Him known. And we rejoice in knowing that we will see him again someday in paradise.

Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, May 18, 2009, at The Chapel, 135 Fir Hill, Akron. Pastor Marc Wolff officiating. Family will receive friends TODAY, May 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St., Akron. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northern Ohio Golf Charities, 440 E. Warner Rd., Akron, OH 44319.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal from May 15 to May 17, 2009 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?n=Owen-Aloysius-Kelly&pid=127309299#sthash.DvxUuLSM.dpuf