Beloved husband of Judi Kelley; devoted father of Debbie Vassil (Andrew), Sarah Martucci (Scott), and Anne Roberts (Darren); dear stepfather of Katy Sauer (Graig); cherished grandfather of Emma Kate, Evan, Sean, Sofia, Parker, Amelia, and Aidan; loving brother of Nancy Knez (Bob); dear uncle of Steve Knez (Diana) and Jeff Knez (Jackie).
Interment private. A memorial celebrating Bruce's amazing life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 9534 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236, or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7001 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234.
Bruce M. Kelley was born on August 9, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to Norma and Olin Kelley. After his parent's divorce, Bruce's mother would go on to marry Calvin "Big Mike" Westphal. Bruce would tell stories of spending time at The Pike in Long Beach, California where his parents met.
Bruce graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1962. He served three years in the United States Army as a Korean linguist. Bruce enjoyed telling stories about his time in South Korea. In 1967, he married Kathy and together they would raise three daughters. Bruce attended Luther Theological Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1969.
He went on to receive a Master of Theology from Luther Theological Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained into the Holy Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Morris, Illinois, on October 18, 1970. He accepted a call to become the Assistant Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia. He was known to be quite a progressive pastor and would continue to trailblaze throughout his ministry. Bruce was passionate about ministering to people from all walks of life and was welcoming to everyone. In March 1974, he accepted the call to become the pastor of Saint Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland and faithfully served until 2003. St Luke was truly family for him as he ministered there for almost 30 years. He was then called to serve at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church in Perry Hall, Maryland until he retired in 2014. It was always a joy for Bruce to visit those that needed someone to sit with them, talk with them, pray with them, and commune with them.
Bruce loved the game of tennis, and for many years played on Monday mornings with a group of close pastor friends. He passed this enthusiasm on to his daughters, practicing with them and cheering them on at their high school matches. Over the years he also took many memorable sailing and skiing trips. He enjoyed going out to eat and sharing his love of good food with his friends and family. He was always seeking adventure and enjoyed talking with anyone who would lend an ear.
When he married Judi in 2006, Bruce finally found his soul mate. They shared love, laughter, and a passion for animals. They enjoyed watching the deer and other wildlife in their backyard and cherished time with their beloved dogs - Max and the late Mocha, Muggsy, Winnie, Gracie, and Abe.
After retirement, his love of travel continued and he went on trips to visit his girls and his grandkids. He even went to California in 2016 with his sister, Nancy to visit his beloved cousin Connie. They shared many laughs together from the time they were little until their last visit together. He also enjoyed spending time in Barbados with his family.
In April of 2020, Bruce fell and broke his leg. He was unable to return home as he needed full-time care and he became a resident at Patuxent River Health and Rehab. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, he was not able to have visitors. But Bruce, being the rebel he was, finally found a way to get around this policy. He was admitted to the hospital on September 30th and because they allowed visitors, Bruce was able to spend several hours with each of his daughters and his loving wife. Having this time to laugh, sing, smile, be silly, and reminisce with his family was truly a gift from God. He returned to Patuxent on October 4th after a beautiful and memorable afternoon with Judi. On October 12, 2020, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, with love and joy in his heart.
As we heard Pastor Kelley say so many times, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
Interment private. A memorial celebrating Bruce's amazing life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 9534 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236, or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7001 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234.
Bruce M. Kelley was born on August 9, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to Norma and Olin Kelley. After his parent's divorce, Bruce's mother would go on to marry Calvin "Big Mike" Westphal. Bruce would tell stories of spending time at The Pike in Long Beach, California where his parents met.
Bruce graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1962. He served three years in the United States Army as a Korean linguist. Bruce enjoyed telling stories about his time in South Korea. In 1967, he married Kathy and together they would raise three daughters. Bruce attended Luther Theological Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1969.
He went on to receive a Master of Theology from Luther Theological Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained into the Holy Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Morris, Illinois, on October 18, 1970. He accepted a call to become the Assistant Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia. He was known to be quite a progressive pastor and would continue to trailblaze throughout his ministry. Bruce was passionate about ministering to people from all walks of life and was welcoming to everyone. In March 1974, he accepted the call to become the pastor of Saint Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland and faithfully served until 2003. St Luke was truly family for him as he ministered there for almost 30 years. He was then called to serve at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church in Perry Hall, Maryland until he retired in 2014. It was always a joy for Bruce to visit those that needed someone to sit with them, talk with them, pray with them, and commune with them.
Bruce loved the game of tennis, and for many years played on Monday mornings with a group of close pastor friends. He passed this enthusiasm on to his daughters, practicing with them and cheering them on at their high school matches. Over the years he also took many memorable sailing and skiing trips. He enjoyed going out to eat and sharing his love of good food with his friends and family. He was always seeking adventure and enjoyed talking with anyone who would lend an ear.
When he married Judi in 2006, Bruce finally found his soul mate. They shared love, laughter, and a passion for animals. They enjoyed watching the deer and other wildlife in their backyard and cherished time with their beloved dogs - Max and the late Mocha, Muggsy, Winnie, Gracie, and Abe.
After retirement, his love of travel continued and he went on trips to visit his girls and his grandkids. He even went to California in 2016 with his sister, Nancy to visit his beloved cousin Connie. They shared many laughs together from the time they were little until their last visit together. He also enjoyed spending time in Barbados with his family.
In April of 2020, Bruce fell and broke his leg. He was unable to return home as he needed full-time care and he became a resident at Patuxent River Health and Rehab. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, he was not able to have visitors. But Bruce, being the rebel he was, finally found a way to get around this policy. He was admitted to the hospital on September 30th and because they allowed visitors, Bruce was able to spend several hours with each of his daughters and his loving wife. Having this time to laugh, sing, smile, be silly, and reminisce with his family was truly a gift from God. He returned to Patuxent on October 4th after a beautiful and memorable afternoon with Judi. On October 12, 2020, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, with love and joy in his heart.
As we heard Pastor Kelley say so many times, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
Beloved husband of Judi Kelley; devoted father of Debbie Vassil (Andrew), Sarah Martucci (Scott), and Anne Roberts (Darren); dear stepfather of Katy Sauer (Graig); cherished grandfather of Emma Kate, Evan, Sean, Sofia, Parker, Amelia, and Aidan; loving brother of Nancy Knez (Bob); dear uncle of Steve Knez (Diana) and Jeff Knez (Jackie).
Interment private. A memorial celebrating Bruce's amazing life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 9534 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236, or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7001 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234.
Bruce M. Kelley was born on August 9, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to Norma and Olin Kelley. After his parent's divorce, Bruce's mother would go on to marry Calvin "Big Mike" Westphal. Bruce would tell stories of spending time at The Pike in Long Beach, California where his parents met.
Bruce graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1962. He served three years in the United States Army as a Korean linguist. Bruce enjoyed telling stories about his time in South Korea. In 1967, he married Kathy and together they would raise three daughters. Bruce attended Luther Theological Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1969.
He went on to receive a Master of Theology from Luther Theological Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained into the Holy Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Morris, Illinois, on October 18, 1970. He accepted a call to become the Assistant Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia. He was known to be quite a progressive pastor and would continue to trailblaze throughout his ministry. Bruce was passionate about ministering to people from all walks of life and was welcoming to everyone. In March 1974, he accepted the call to become the pastor of Saint Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland and faithfully served until 2003. St Luke was truly family for him as he ministered there for almost 30 years. He was then called to serve at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church in Perry Hall, Maryland until he retired in 2014. It was always a joy for Bruce to visit those that needed someone to sit with them, talk with them, pray with them, and commune with them.
Bruce loved the game of tennis, and for many years played on Monday mornings with a group of close pastor friends. He passed this enthusiasm on to his daughters, practicing with them and cheering them on at their high school matches. Over the years he also took many memorable sailing and skiing trips. He enjoyed going out to eat and sharing his love of good food with his friends and family. He was always seeking adventure and enjoyed talking with anyone who would lend an ear.
When he married Judi in 2006, Bruce finally found his soul mate. They shared love, laughter, and a passion for animals. They enjoyed watching the deer and other wildlife in their backyard and cherished time with their beloved dogs - Max and the late Mocha, Muggsy, Winnie, Gracie, and Abe.
After retirement, his love of travel continued and he went on trips to visit his girls and his grandkids. He even went to California in 2016 with his sister, Nancy to visit his beloved cousin Connie. They shared many laughs together from the time they were little until their last visit together. He also enjoyed spending time in Barbados with his family.
In April of 2020, Bruce fell and broke his leg. He was unable to return home as he needed full-time care and he became a resident at Patuxent River Health and Rehab. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, he was not able to have visitors. But Bruce, being the rebel he was, finally found a way to get around this policy. He was admitted to the hospital on September 30th and because they allowed visitors, Bruce was able to spend several hours with each of his daughters and his loving wife. Having this time to laugh, sing, smile, be silly, and reminisce with his family was truly a gift from God. He returned to Patuxent on October 4th after a beautiful and memorable afternoon with Judi. On October 12, 2020, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, with love and joy in his heart.
As we heard Pastor Kelley say so many times, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
Interment private. A memorial celebrating Bruce's amazing life will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael Lutheran Church, 9534 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD 21236, or St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7001 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234.
Bruce M. Kelley was born on August 9, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri to Norma and Olin Kelley. After his parent's divorce, Bruce's mother would go on to marry Calvin "Big Mike" Westphal. Bruce would tell stories of spending time at The Pike in Long Beach, California where his parents met.
Bruce graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1962. He served three years in the United States Army as a Korean linguist. Bruce enjoyed telling stories about his time in South Korea. In 1967, he married Kathy and together they would raise three daughters. Bruce attended Luther Theological Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1969.
He went on to receive a Master of Theology from Luther Theological Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained into the Holy Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in Morris, Illinois, on October 18, 1970. He accepted a call to become the Assistant Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia. He was known to be quite a progressive pastor and would continue to trailblaze throughout his ministry. Bruce was passionate about ministering to people from all walks of life and was welcoming to everyone. In March 1974, he accepted the call to become the pastor of Saint Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland and faithfully served until 2003. St Luke was truly family for him as he ministered there for almost 30 years. He was then called to serve at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church in Perry Hall, Maryland until he retired in 2014. It was always a joy for Bruce to visit those that needed someone to sit with them, talk with them, pray with them, and commune with them.
Bruce loved the game of tennis, and for many years played on Monday mornings with a group of close pastor friends. He passed this enthusiasm on to his daughters, practicing with them and cheering them on at their high school matches. Over the years he also took many memorable sailing and skiing trips. He enjoyed going out to eat and sharing his love of good food with his friends and family. He was always seeking adventure and enjoyed talking with anyone who would lend an ear.
When he married Judi in 2006, Bruce finally found his soul mate. They shared love, laughter, and a passion for animals. They enjoyed watching the deer and other wildlife in their backyard and cherished time with their beloved dogs - Max and the late Mocha, Muggsy, Winnie, Gracie, and Abe.
After retirement, his love of travel continued and he went on trips to visit his girls and his grandkids. He even went to California in 2016 with his sister, Nancy to visit his beloved cousin Connie. They shared many laughs together from the time they were little until their last visit together. He also enjoyed spending time in Barbados with his family.
In April of 2020, Bruce fell and broke his leg. He was unable to return home as he needed full-time care and he became a resident at Patuxent River Health and Rehab. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, he was not able to have visitors. But Bruce, being the rebel he was, finally found a way to get around this policy. He was admitted to the hospital on September 30th and because they allowed visitors, Bruce was able to spend several hours with each of his daughters and his loving wife. Having this time to laugh, sing, smile, be silly, and reminisce with his family was truly a gift from God. He returned to Patuxent on October 4th after a beautiful and memorable afternoon with Judi. On October 12, 2020, he passed away peacefully in his sleep, with love and joy in his heart.
As we heard Pastor Kelley say so many times, "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
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