Raymond O'Kelly Jr.

On the morning of July 23, 2023, Raymond “Ray” Merriman O’Kelly, Jr., of Indian Land, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family.

Ray was born in Baltimore, MD in March of 1944 and spent time in his youth in both Perry Point and Havre de Grace, Maryland.  Where he grew up enjoying various interests and “trying” to stay out of mischief with his brother, Pat, as well as his lifelong friends, Larry & Eddie.  During childhood, he enjoyed building model cars and airplanes.  He spent time as a Boy Scout, venturing to Philmont Scout Ranch.  He played baseball and football and was proud to have written and performed in a dramatic rendition of his original play. He was a member of the student council and participated in the high school science fair which he conducted an experiment regarding life in a self-contained biome, later earning a prize. He enjoyed playing both the alto and tenor saxophone in several bands and later in high school joined a band called “The Furies”.

Ray went onto North Carolina Wesleyan University receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.  Upon graduation, he entered Army basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey followed by Advanced Infantry Training at Fort McClellan, Alabama.  He then went onto Officer Candidate School.  Ray spent 2 years at Fort Eustis, Virginia where he received orders for Vietnam.  He spent 2 years serving in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star and after coming home he entered civilian life.

Ray and his beloved wife of 52 years, Jan, met on a blind date and got married in Portsmouth, VA. They spent time in Roanoke, VA later moving to Midlothian, VA to raise their 2 children.  He worked in sales and spent most of his career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep with Syntex and Roche Labs.  While in Midlothian he attended Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed participating and volunteering in the community and meeting friends in the neighborhoods of Settlers Landing & Queens Mill.  He always felt blessed to forge some great friendships during his time in Virginia.

Ray was a man of many hobbies, always dabbling in various activities.  He spent time writing prose and poetry.  He was passionate about studying American History and entered the Graduate program at the University of Richmond.  In recent years he wrote and published a historical fiction novel set in the period of the American Civil War.  From playing in his college’s concert band to playing in local rock & roll and country bands to creating his own garage band named, ‘Big Diesel’; he always had a strong connection with music.  He taught himself the guitar and piano and thoroughly enjoyed all things musical including writing music lyrics to someday take to Nashville.  He was also a gifted artist, and enjoyed painting with various mediums (acrylic, charcoal, watercolors, pencil) and photography (sports and still).  He loved to garden and study flowers and trees.  Additionally, in his younger years he enjoyed running half marathons and in more recent years he practiced Tai Chi.

One of the highlights for Ray was watching his kids participate in various sports.  Growing up, the kids swam year-round at Riverside (Briarwood) Club and swam on their neighbor teams as well.  He loved traveling to watch his son’s high school and collegiate baseball at St. Christophers School and later at the College of William & Mary.  For his daughter, he also enjoyed attending softball and football games at Midlothian High School and later on at Clemson University.  Since childhood, Ray was a staunch supporter of the Baltimore Orioles, through the good times and bad.  He would be thrilled to know that they were in sole possession of first place in the AL East on the day of his passing.

To those who knew him, Ray was a fun and lively character who loved to entertain and tell stories.  Whether it was dressing up as Elvis, singing a duet as Willie Nelson, or getting kicked out of a swim meet for too much cow bell, he was always up for an adventure.  An endearing quality was that Ray never met a stranger and was always wishing to know how your life was going and supporting you through it.

He dedicated time in the latter part of life encouraging individuals to seek out a relationship with the Lord.  He focused on this mission by mentoring youth at the Berryman Family Life Center.  After moving to South Carolina, he enjoyed attending Forest Hill Church and joining a Life Group, later he trained and became an ordained Chaplain.  He also conducted bible studies through a prison outreach program as well as volunteering reading the bible at the White Oak Rehab and Nursing Home.

Ray is preceded in death by his father, Raymond M. O’Kelly, Sr. and mother Catherine C. O’Kelly (Kane) and his beloved Uncle Charles Chlad.  Ray is survived by his wife, Janet Weatherford O’Kelly as well as his brother Patrick M. O’Kelly of Blue Ridge Summit, PA and by his two children Jen Dickson (Zack) of Charlotte, NC and son, Mike O’Kelly (Sara) of Charlotte, NC.  His pride and joy were his grandchildren:  Wyatt, Kendall and Morgan. He is survived by his favorite Aunt Mary Ruth of Parkton, MD and his cousins Pam Chlad of Collegeville, PA and Cassie (Dave) Andrzjewski of Parkton, MD.  Also, by several brother and sister in-laws: Bob & Lorraine Weatherford of CA, Dick & Julie Weatherford of SC and Tom & Debbie Weatherford of VA, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Thank you to the many families and friends who have reached out to share stories and memories.  We are very grateful for your support.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the St. Jude’s Children Hospital or Samaritan’s Purse .

“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”