Duncan Eugene “Gene” Kelley

Duncan Eugene “Gene” Kelley, 83, of Rio Rico, AZ, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022 following a period of declining health.  Born November 6, 1938, in Flint, Michigan, he was the son of the late John James Kelley and Dorothy Duncan Kelley.  Gene was a submarine veteran with the US Navy.  In 2002, he retired as COO from Sunlaw Energy Company located in Vernon, CA.

Gene is survived by his wife, Carolyn Watts Kelley; daughter, Tracey Kelley of Spring Valley, CA; step-son, Jeffrey A. Watts of Rio Rico; grandchildren, Blake Kelley of Spring Valley and Grace Wilemon of Olla, LA; great-grandchildren, Graysen and Asher; and his nephew, Steven Hawley.

In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by a son, John James Kelley; and sister, Carolyn Kelley.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, NC.  The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home with Rev. Jim Kilby officiating.  The service will be streamed on www.sossomanfh.com.  Burial will follow in St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery in Shelby, NC.  Military honors will be provided by the US Navy.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association; the American Cancer Society; or to Christus Rex Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 4070, Rio Rico, AZ 85648.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.