Dennis F. Kelly

Dennis F. Kelly was born on August 6, 1945 in San Francisco, Calif. to Irene Pickrell and Charles Leppla Jr. He died March 9, 2008 in Carson City.

Dennis grew up in the Bay area and joined the Marine Corps in 1963 and served as an aviation structural mechanic and crew chief in Vietnam on a UH-1 helicopter medivac unit. He was honorably discharged, a decorated marine in 1967.

In the 1970's, Dennis worked as a truck driver, heavy equipment operator or backhoes, loaders and cranes. He also worked in manufacture of fiberglass products and fabricated dies and other tooling using mill, lathe, welder and associated hand tools.

He was very proud of becoming a licensed pilot in 1979, and he served from 1981 to 1985 in the Nevada Army National Guard as an aviation structural mechanic, crew chief and flight engineer on UH-1 and CH54A skycranes.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Dennis worked as a designer, fabricator and welder in structural and ornamental iron. He also took time with his son, Jason for rock climbing, ski trips, hiking, flying and a trip to Alaska.

Dennis returned to college in the 1990s and graduated in 1997 from WNCC with a degree as a microcomputer technician. He was indeed a man of many talents. A skier, cyclist, amateur geologist and fly fisherman.

Dennis "D.K" is survived by his son Jason F. Kelly; grandsons Carson Scott and Cole Mitchell Kelly; his wife Carla Sanders and many friends who loved and respected him. He is missed.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m., June 14 at Washoe Lake State Park.

Final arrangements handled by Fitzhenrys Funeral Home.