Kelly Lee Elmore

June 10, 1926 — February 19, 2013

Kelly Lee Elmore, Jr., 86, passed away on February 19, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina at Aldersgate, a United Methodist Retirement Community. Kelly was born on June 10, 1926 in Durham, North Carolina to the late Dr. Kelly Lee Elmore, Sr. and Isabelle McDowell Elmore. Kelly was a loving husband to Meda Nell Elmore since their marriage on October 6, 1951. Meda Nell currently resides at Aldersgate. Kelly is survived by his brother Dr. Stanley Elmore of Richmond, Virginia and his sister, Isabel Jocelyn Bradley of Birmingham, Alabama. Kelly was father to sons, Kelly Lee III of Houston, Texas, Phillip Sanders of Charlotte, North Carolina and Charles McDowell of Apopka, Florida and grandfather to Alejandra, Elizabeth, Lauren, Margaret and Sarah. He was a 1944 graduate of Sheffield High School in Alabama and was the senior class valedictorian, delivering that address on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was a cheerleader and played fullback for Sheffield High School. Kelly obtained the position of Eagle Scout with Palms. Kelly went on to Bucknell University where he also played football and then to the University of Missouri, where he earned a B.S. degree in chemical engineering. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Kelly was in training with the NROTC to become a naval aviator, but the war ended before he graduated that program. He served in the U.S. Navy, Naval Reserve and U.S. Army, where he trained with the 506th Airborne Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Jackson, S.C. in 1954, later assigned to the U.S. Army Chemical Engineering Corp at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Kelly retired after 40 years employed as a metallurgical engineer for Union Carbide Corporation/Elkem Metals Company Ferroalloys Division. He is a 50 year member of the American Chemical Society.
Kelly was an active member of the Marietta Rotary Club which created the Kelly L. Elmore, Jr. Award in 1997 to recognize and inspire members who best exemplify Rotary's goal of "Service Above Self". He was a Rotary member since 1954 and involved in all phases of the club. The Kelly L. Elmore, Jr. "Service Above Self" plaque is on permanent display in the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Ohio.
Kelly was a skilled craftsman, bee keeper, and gardener. There was never a person more kind, honest, and generous than Kelly Jr., and few have ever lived who were better examples of teaching, gifting and selfless sharing. We may never see his kind again, but his legacy will live in our memories and give us hope that the world can be as fair, good and generous as he was. He has earned his ticket to Heaven. God's speed Kelly. Thanks for sharing your life with us. We will all miss you very much.
His funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at Christ United Methodist Church in Marietta, with the Rev. Don Archer officiating. His family will receive friends on Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home. Kelly will be buried at Putnam Cemetery.

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Kelly Lee Elmore

June 10, 1926 — February 19, 2013

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