Obituary of Donald Owen Carling Kelly

Mr. Donald Owen Carling-Kelly, 87, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, October 18th, in Califon, New Jersey. He was born on April 12th, 1927 in Erie, Pennsylvania to Mr. and Mrs. Ogilvie Carling Kelly (Jessie Waghorn). Don was preceded in death by his brother Robert Kelly of Madison, Wisconsin, his daughter Karen C. Kelly of Atlanta, Georgia, and late wife Sue M. Kelly. Don graduated from Rocky River High School, outside of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a standout athlete. Upon graduation, Don chose to defend his country, and joined the US Navy serving in the South Pacific at the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged two years later, and enrolled in Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. Don was an active member and alumnus of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity (DKE) Kappa Chapter. Following graduation, he married classmate Sue McCleary of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and spent many happy years together until her death in 1990. They were blessed with two children, Karen and David. Don enjoyed a long and successful business career with Rohm and Haas Co. in Philadelphia, PA, managing the global export business for the company. Don eventually retired from the business after a 19 year tenure as VP - Marketing for CMC Maintenance Corporation in Raleigh, NC. He was an avid golfer and active member of MacGregor Downs Country Club in Cary, NC. Just prior to his retirement, Don met and married Carole Dittmann of Califon, NJ, and together they enjoyed his retirement years in Homosassa, FL, Washington, NC, and most recently Califon, NJ. Mr. Kelly is survived by his wife Carole Dittmann Kelly of Califon, NJ, his son David R. Kelly and daughter in law Bobbie M. Kelly, both of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, along with his grandchildren Madison L. Kelly of Washington, DC, McKenzie S. Kelly also of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Christine K.O'Riordan of Atlanta, GA, former son in law Patrick O'Riordan also of Atlanta, Ga. and stepson Eric S. Zobian, his wife Cindy N. Zobian and their children Emily L. and Nicholas A. of Califon, NJ. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers or other arrangements, donations be made to the National ALS Association (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association).