Rear Admiral USNR (ret) Jerry Robert Kelley/Jerry Robert Kelley, M.D. passed peacefully on December 30th, 2023, in San Antonio, TX. Jerry was born February 19,1948, to Mary Arriola Kelley and Jerry Kelley in Beeville, TX.
Jerry, “Bobby” spent his early years in Corpus Christi with his family going to Padre Island and camping on the Frio River. Jerry enjoyed music as a young student in Corpus Christi as a member of the junior and high school bands. He was also an avid participant in the Boy Scouts. Jerry used a Cushman Eagle motor scooter as his delivery vehicle in his first job as a newspaper boy for the Corpus Christi Caller Times.
In 1963, the Kelley family moved to San Antonio, and Jerry attended John Marshall High, graduating in 1966. Jerry continued playing the coronet in high school as a member of the marching band. He was also a member of the Leon Valley Volunteer Fire Department. He and other teenage volunteers spent many hours extinguishing grass and structure fires. Jerry proudly displayed his participation and duty to the volunteer fire department by installing a siren and red flashing light on his 1958 Ford sedan. The neighbors in Thunderbird Hills would chuckle when Jerry would rush out of the door after receiving a call about a fire. Jerry would turn his siren and red light on and meet the fire truck at the scene.
Jerry’s interest in medicine began at the age of nine. While mowing the lawn, his father ran over a frog and Jerry tried to sew up the injured frog. Although the frog died, his fascination in medicine was forever sparked. Jerry read and studied biology and all types of medical books before he entered college. In his senior year at Marshall High, he received first place in the Senior Biology Northside District and Alamo District Science Fairs. Also, he worked as a lab technician at Wilford Hall Hospital-Lackland AFB and a surgery orderly at a San Antonio hospital.
Jerry was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Biology, from Southwest Texas University, San Marcos. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio in 1976. Upon certification in general and cardiothoracic surgery, Jerry entered private practice in San Antonio, Texas in 1983. While practicing medicine during the 80s and 90s he became fascinated with building and flying radio-controlled aircrafts and enjoyed his leisure time with family and friends while bird/deer hunting, snow skiing, scuba diving and motorcycle riding. Jerry also mastered the art of the perfect martini A.K.A. "The Dr. Kelley Martini.”
Jerry was passionate about WW II Pacific War and military history in general. His father was a WW II / Korean US Navy veteran. His younger brother, David, was a US Army Vietnam Era veteran. Jerry became a board member of the National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg, TX. He assisted in the planning of numerous symposiums for WWII Pacific American military and Japanese military veterans.
In 1991, following his father and brother’s military footsteps, Jerry joined the US Navy Medical Corps. His mentor, Navy Captain USNR (ret) Roger Pineau, supported the WWII Pacific War codebreaking operation to read Japanese diplomatic and military coded messages. Captain Pineau’s military history background inspired Jerry to serve as a naval officer. Jerry received a direct commission as a Lt. Commander. Captain Pineau arranged for Jerry to be commissioned in a ceremony by WW II/Korean War era Admiral Arleigh Burke USN (ret), also known as “31 Knot Burke”.
While continuing his medical practice in San Antonio, Jerry went on to serve in various leadership and support roles within the naval reserve. His last assignment was as Deputy Medical Officer of the Marine Corps-Reserve at Health Affairs Headquarters Marine Corps. His service awards include Meritorius Service Medal with two stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Meritorius Unit Citation and Legion of Merit Medal.
His father and brother benefitted from Jerry’s reserve sea duty as the ships medical doctor on the aircraft carriers, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Ranger. They were able to catch a ride from Pearl Harbor to the mainland via US Navy sponsored Tiger Cruises.After Jerry’s naval retirement, he chose to practice medicine at the VA Medical Hospitals in Fayetteville and Little Rock, Arkansas. Jerry moved back to San Antonio in 2018 where he continued to stay active with friends and family until his health declined.
Jerry was extremely proud of his three children: Christopher, Sara and Caroline. Christopher and Sara are successful business executives and entrepreneurs. Caroline, his youngest daughter, is growing up quickly and active in middle school sports and martial arts.
Jerry is survived by his brother David & Grace Kelley of Round Rock Texas, his sister Kathy & Ralph Madla of Helotes Texas, his son Christopher Kelley of the Philippines, Sara Kelley of Boynton Beach Florida, and Caroline Kelley of San Antonio Texas. He is also survived by his granddaughter Shor Mei Kelley who resides in New York City. Jerry is also survived by nieces Kristen & Craig Saucier of San Antonio, Kim & Jessica Kelley of Round Rock and Nancigayle & Sargon Mirza of London, England, and his nephew Lacy & Andrea Way of San Antonio and numerous great nieces and nephews.
The Kelley and Madla family are appreciative of the wonderful care provided by the Cottages at Danny Kaye Memory Center in San Antonio. The entire staff took great care of “The Admiral”. They too will miss his sense of humor. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX or to organizations dedicated to Parkinson’s related research.
Funeral Services will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 1:45 pm
Fair winds and following seas Admiral Kelley!
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