On October 10, 1946, in Everett, Massachusetts, Harriet Elfreda (Taylor) and Hamilton Dugger Kelley welcomed into this world a son whom they named Charles (meaning "free man") Edward (meaning "rich, happy guardian").
During his early years his father was in the military and the family was stationed overseas in Augsburg and Munich. As the neighboring German children didn't speak English, Charlie spent most of his play time with his younger brother. The family was then stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where the boys attended segregated schools. Years later, Charlie - whose memory of days gone by was amazing - would recount details as precise as the name of the driver and even the number of the school bus that drove them past the white schools on the base to the schools earmarked for colored students. Ironically, his mother taught Sunday School on the base to students of both races.
Once the family returned to the states, Charlie enjoyed spending time outdoors salt-water fishing from Pemberton Point in Hull with his brother and father, ice-skating near the Mystic Lakes in Arlington, snowball fights with neighbors, board games at home and at their Aunt Mat's, riding bikes around Medford, and playing at Dugger Park. He earned extra money by working as an office boy at the Medford Daily Mercury in Medford Square and by shoveling neighbors' driveways. He was a Boy Scout and earned a Ham Radio Operator license after studying with his Uncle Mabe Kountze. At Medford High School Charlie was an outstanding student in and out of the classroom. He liked to dance and was known as the good-looking guy who knew how to do the Twist! He ran for the Medford High track team, and he was honored as the Ivy Orator during graduation week at Medford High School. Although after graduation Charlie considered enrolling in seminary, he instead attended the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He transferred to Tufts University and later to the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. Upon returning to Medford, he took up cross-country skiing, which he thoroughly enjoyed. A few years later he and Gloria Richardson, who had known each other since they both attended the Hervey grammar school, began to spend time with one another and eventually fell in love. After their wedding, he worked for Kaiser Engineers and then for the Massachusetts Port Authority from which he retired.
During retirement he focused on his favorite hobby, model trains. One could ask Chuck - as family and friends began to call him - anything about model trains - tracks, layouts, scenery, design features - and he knew the answer. He was meticulous in acquiring parts needed and setting up model layouts. Chuck's reaction to one particularly elaborate room-sized set-up that took months for him to complete could only be described as sheer glee! Retirement also gave him more time to follow his passion for Christ. Chuck was a man of prayer who loved reading the Bible. He penned eloquent poetic prayers - petitions of the heart. He gave Christian books and devotionals to many friends and family. He used his beautiful baritone to sing in the Grace Church choir. So kind and thoughtful, he made others feel special by always remembering birthdays and holidays with an encouraging card. He cared about others, even those whom he did not know personally. On his last Father's Day, even though Chuck was in pain, he took the time to wish a happy Father's Day to every single one of the dozens of dads who walked past him at the restaurant, blessing them with his trademark smile.
Chuck's soothing smile went along with the twinkling in his eyes and his warm kind heart. His strength, love and perseverance in mastering life's challenges provided steppingstones and role modeling for all his loved ones and friends.
On March 13, 2022, at the age of 75 our dearly loved Charles Edward Kelley departed this life unexpectedly following a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses. He was pre-deceased by his parents and by his older brother, Hamilton Jr., who passed away from spina bifida at the age of seven months. Chuck is survived by his dearly loved devoted wife of 48 years, Gloria (Richardson) Kelley, cherished son and daughter-in-law, David and Janet Kelley, treasured granddaughters Glory Rose and Anastasia Grace Kelley, loving 'daughter' Stephanie Clark, faithful brother and sister-in-law Robert and Aundrea Kelley, first cousin Elenore Taylor, brothers-in-law, Ronald, Eric, Steven, and Dana Richardson, several nephews and nieces, many cousins, his Grace Chapel family, and numerous friends whose lives he also touched and inspired.
A funeral service will be conducted at the Grace Chapel, 128 West St., Wilmington, Monday, March 21st, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family prior to the service from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Arrangements by the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Service of Woburn.