Dr. Joseph "Pete" Earl Kelley Jr.

With sadness, we announce that Dr. Joseph "Pete" Earl Kelley Jr., 64, of Signal Mountain, TN, passed away on November 6, 2024, taking his last breath, now at peace, surrounded by family in his home.

Pete Kelley was born on January 30, 1960 in Knoxville, TN to parents Joseph Earl Kelley Sr. and Susan Kelley before moving to Chattanooga, TN. When asked about his greatest achievement in life, he bypassed the long list of degrees, accolades, and lives saved, and spoke of his family. He would prefer to gush about his 36 years of marriage to his beloved wife JoEllen. He would speak of his love and pride for his three daughters, Miranda, Laura "Michelle", and Liz. A lover of simple pleasures, football, and a well maintained lawn or sports field, he far surpassed his goal of building a loving home, life, and future for his family. He passed in peace, to his eternal life in heaven, knowing he achieved all his dreams, and helped his family achieve theirs.

Ever the overachiever, Pete graduated from Chattanooga City High School at the age of 16, before enrolling at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. During his time at UTC, he served as president of his fraternity and was elected president of the Student Government Association in 1980. Despite failing introductory German.... Twice... Pete was accepted to the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, TN which he graduated from in 1986. Dr. Kelley ultimately went on to undergo residency training in General Surgery at Emory in Atlanta, GA and then Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, finishing in 1992. A dedicated and skilled surgeon, he went on to complete specialty fellowship training in Pediatric Surgery at Miami Children's Hospital in Miami, FL from 1992-1994 before returning to his beloved home of Chattanooga. He spent the next 26 years as a pediatric surgeon at Erlanger Hospital, fighting for the children, saving the children, and sometimes holding the hands of families grieving their children. He served on the Board of the Medical Society of Chattanooga and was an associate professor within the General Surgery Residency Program at Erlanger Hospital. During this time, he won his way into the hearts of both his patients, trainees, and co-workers with his rough exterior but heart of gold.

Reminiscing with stories shared with him in these last months brought him great joy and peace at a life well lived. We would like to thank the hundreds of people who took time to share their own funny, touching, and sometimes inappropriate memories of times spent with Dr. Pete, the honey badger, the mountain troll, our beloved husband, Dad, and Pawpaw.

Pete Kelley was predeceased by his father, Joseph Earl Kelley Sr., mother Susan Kelley, and sister Katye Kelley. He is survived by his loving wife JoEllen Kvamme Kelley, three daughters Miranda Kelley O'Dell, Dr. Laura "Michelle" Kelley, and Lizzie Kelley, son-in-law Brandon O'Dell, and two granddaughters Charlotte Jo O'Dell and Elizabeth O'Dell.

Arrangements for a celebration of life will be shared with those close to him at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Pete requested for those who wish to send sympathies to consider a charitable donation to Project Access which he helped to form during his time on the board of the Medical Society of Chattanooga. Project Access has provided over $233 million in donated health care services to our low-income, uninsured neighbors in Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee. Donations can be made at www.setnprojectaccess.org/