David Allen Kelley

David Allen Kelley, 77, of Stevensville, died on October 16, 2023, following an illness of a few months. As David might've said, "It is what it is." Born on July 11, 1946, David was the son of the late Constance Marie Hurley. He spent nearly the entirety of his life on Kent Island, where he was a 1964 graduate of Stevensville High School. During his time at SHS, David volunteered with the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, and later, in early adulthood, continued with the Queenstown Fire Department. David worked for 54 years in the auto parts industry, where, thanks to his encyclopedic knowledge of parts and prices, he was known to generations of customers as "Numbers Kelley." He was always ready to help his customers and to do his best for them. David inherited the Irish gift of the gab, and his sense of humor was legendary. Invariably armed with a joke or a story to tell, he developed an easy rapport with family, friends, and customers alike. In addition to his interest in cars, David was a train and plane enthusiast. He enjoyed air shows, and, given his respect for the military, especially enjoyed seeing the Navy's Blue Angels. An enthusiastic supporter of the Baltimore Orioles and the Ravens, David continued to follow sports and enjoyed attending games and cookouts with his family and friends after his retirement in 2019. David was grateful for knowing the Lord and His blessings, and undoubtedly counted his family among the most precious of these. He married the former Claire Ann Coursey on October 13, 1984, and they spent thirty-nine happy years together, making their home on Kent Island. In addition to his wife, David is survived by a daughter, Erin Dinnis (Tim), who was the apple of her father's eye. He is also survived by a sister, Marilou Russ (Mike); a nephew, Michael Russ (Lori); an uncle, Louis Kelley (Gloria), who was like a brother to David; and a special cousin, LuAnn Walker (John) and family. David is also survived by an adopted son, Brian Kelley. A visitation will be held at Kent Island United Methodist Church, 2739 Cox Neck Road, Chester, MD, on Tuesday, October 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 25, also at KIUMC. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Compass Regional Hospice, 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617; or to the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Dept., 1610 Main Street, Chester, MD 21619.

David Allen Kelley

July 11, 1946 - October 16, 2023