
Remains & Death Certificate Release
Donation protected
We are needing help to raise funds for the release of my Grandpas ashes and death certificate to my Grandmother. With the unfortunate death of my Grandfather Dennis C. Kelley, who raised me with my Grandmother Sandra K Kelley. He was one of the strongest men I knew, a father figure in a way. When I grew older and moved away it wasn't until I joined the US Navy as a Seabee that he told me that he himself was in fact a former Seabee. He joined the Army first in Nov of 65, but switch the US Navy Seabees and was called to Vietnam. I was lost for words, I had no idea my Grandpa was such a hero. I wish I could have asked him more about his experiences but he wasn't much for words when you could see him thinking back to what I'm assuming wasn't a good experience so I kept my questions simple. He retired from the Navy Feb 1986. Did multiple tours and worked in several Battalions, the one that stuck with me the most was NMCB 133 because I was in that battalion as he was telling me his story. I consider myself lucky that as a man who probably went through hell could summon the ability to help provide and raise for four young girls that weren't even blood, my older cousin, my older sister, myself, my younger sister.
His last years of life were a fight in itself. He was diagnosed with colon cancer. Kind of a slap considering everything he went through in life already. He went through multiple surgeries, cemo and pain. He had parts of his body removed to rid of it and was dependent on medical intervention to do basic bodily functions. As a hard headed Vet you can imagine how he must of felt not being in charge of his own body. Well it was looking up from the last medical appointment with his doctor when they said there was no sign of cancer. HE HAD BEAT IT!!
Or so we thought, he never gained strength back.....he never gained his appetite back. Doctors say it was because he was being hard headed and not taking his medication (wouldn't surprise me). Probably didn't help that he wouldn't cooperate to the fullest. But the doctor wanted to do an exam to make sure there wasn't an underlying problem. His cancer was back and had spread to his bladder, his hips and spine. After that diagnoses he didn't make it past 6 months. He had been in pain, starving and probably felt useless because he couldn't take care of himself. He was strong til the end and didn't show an ounce of the pain he was in. He'll forever be in my heart. We have the watch now Grandpa!!
After the ashes are release his service will be at the Abilene Veteran Cemetery in Texas.
If you can, please donate, all donations are going straight to the funeral home, if you would like to donate directly to them the funeral home is the Blaylock Funeral Home, you can contact me if you would like the phone number. If we happen to make over our mark we will donate the rest to the funeral home to help pay for the release for the next family.
Thank you!
Organizer
Natasha Graves
Organizer
Fishers, IN