Roland O. Kelly

Roland O. Kelly, 88 of Ashtabula, Ohio and Smyrna, Georgia, passed away on July 18th, 2022, in Smyrna GA.

He was born on December 12, 1933, to the late Cecil and Luella (Norcutt) Kelly at the family home on Fern Avenue in Ashtabula.

Known by most people as Chuck, or Ron, or Kelly, he is survived by his three children, JR (Roland C.) Kelly, Ron Kelly and his wife Marsha, and Robin Ferrill and her husband Neill as well as by his grandchildren Nick, Kiera, Mallory and Graham and his 2 great granddaughters, Stella and Emerson.

He graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1951 and shortly after enlisted in the Army, serving in Europe. After his service he returned to Ashtabula and worked for the railroad before eventually starting his long career working as a Custodian for the Ashtabula City School system. Over the years he worked at several of the schools but spent many years at West Junior High and then finally at Harbor High School. After retiring from the school system, he kept himself active, enjoying bowling at ABC Lanes, dancing at Jewels Dance Hall and the Moose Lodge, and traveling. For many years he was seen nearly every day walking and socializing at the Ashtabula Mall or sitting on his front porch swing at his Runkle Avenue home. After moving to Smyrna, GA to live with his daughter, he looked forward to his annual visits back to Ashtabula to visit his friends and family. He never missed a class reunion before Covid. And even though he moved to Georgia, he called his friend Clara Saturday every morning just as he did while he lived in Ashtabula. He and Clara used to go for a drive and out to eat every day while he lived in Ashtabula. They still kept in touch every day even though they were hundreds of miles away. He supported the Red Cross, most notably by donating blood at every opportunity, reaching the 24- gallon mark before having to stop. He always enjoyed the Covered Bridge festival. For many years he visited every bridge and looked forward to purchasing some of the wonderful baked good being sold at many of the bridges.

Services will be held on Saturday July 23, 2022; calling hours will be held from 10:00ato 11:30a at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming and Billman Funeral Director's, 526 W. Prospect Road,  Ashtabula, Ohio.  Graveside burial services will follow at 12:00p at Saybrook Township Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Roland O. Kelly, please visit our floral store.