Patrick Chastain Kelly

Patrick Chastain Kelly, age 69, of Ponte Vedra Beach, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2016. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on January 31, 1947 to Margaret Hawthorne Kelly. He is predeceased by his mother and sister, JoNell Thatcher. Survivors include his daughters, Mara Webb (Brandon) and Jennifer Pietschker (Erik) of Jacksonville, FL; and his dearly loved grandsons, Levi, Wyatt and Henry. Also surviving are his brother, James Henry Kelly (Sharon) of Hiwassee, Va., his former wife and lifelong friend, Judy Dangerfield Kelly, and many loving family members and friends who cared for him deeply. The family wishes to recognize “Mama Jean” Collins and Darlene Kelly for their kindness and love to Pat.

Pat was one of the youngest children to be placed in the Virginia Home for Boys at the age of 5 and graduated from Tucker High School in Richmond in 1965. After one year in college, he served in Vietnam War and was stationed in DaNang as a supply sergeant. After leaving the army, he continued his education and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In 1983, Pat co-founded Physicians Sales and Service (PSS), a medical supply company, in Jacksonville, FL. PSS became the first national physician supply company. Pat helped transform the medical supply industry with same-day service and the belief that giving young, inexperienced employees a huge amount of responsibility would result in their success. “PSSers Don't Grow On Trees!” and PSS is “a cross between the U.S. Marines and Animal House" were two of his favorite mottos. He had an open-door policy and wanted everyone to feel as if they were the C.E.O of the company. He believed in responsibility and personal success and wanted all employees to become PSS shareholders. He avidly promoted from within and believed in second chances. He always sought to know his employees and thought of them all as one big family.

In 1997, Pat received the Horatio Alger Award, an annual award given to dedicated community leaders who have overcome adversity.

Never forgetting where he came from, Pat was a philanthropist who sought to create opportunities for underprivileged youth. Through his Boys Home Foundation, he supports many children’s homes across the country, such as Virginia Home for Boys and Eagle Ranch, as well as providing college educations for children through his Amelia Meadow Foundation. He believed his final mission was to help raise money to build two homes at Seamark Ranch, children's home, in Jacksonville, FL.

He touched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida, 32207. A graveside service will be held at 9:00 am on Friday, May 27, 2016 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, May 27, 2016 at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Dr, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Please sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seamark Ranch, the Pat Kelly Building Fund, 1 San Jose Place #31, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or www.seamarkranch.com.