John Paul Kellat, 65, New Smyrna Beach FL who died Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.
John was born in Cleveland, Ohio and came to this area from Riverside, CA following 22 years of service in the United States Air Force. He was owner of Everything Electronics Enterprises, Inc. John was ordained in the Apostolic Lutheran Church and served as chaplain for Florida Hospital and was Past State Chaplain of Florida Disabled Veterans.
He was a member of All Saints Lutheran Church Port Orange, service officer for the DAV, a member of Sgt Ledgerwood Chapter 92 DAV, Florida State 1st Vice DAV, American Legion Orlando, International Order of Trench Rats Dugout 568 New Smyrna Beach, founding member of Timeless Wings and Wheels Museum, former New Smyrna Beach Airport Authority, active at New Smyrna Beach Middle School volunteering with learning challenged students, and was a Warder in Job’s Daughters in Kokomo, IN. He was a Scoutmaster in Germany and enjoyed scouting activities. He was also a member of Truth and Friendship Lodge 828 AF&AM Furth, Scottish Rite Consistory of Ft Wayne, IN, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 3 New Smyrna Beach and Moslah Shrine Temple Ft Worth, TX.
John loved fishing, his family and reading. He attended University of Maryland and was graduated from Thomas Edison College receiving degrees in Theology and Accounting.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 45 years Dorothy, daughter Theresa McIlraith (Kevin) of Atlanta, GA, sons John Patrick of FL, John Joseph of GA, sister Louise (Alan) Paden of Columbus OH, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren, numerous nephews’ nieces and cousins.
Memorial donations are requested to National Order of Trench Rats Sector of Florida - Hospital Fund Al Sorrentino, SREG 1054 Bacon Circle Palm Bay Fl 32905 or A.S.P.C.A.
4:00 PM Saturday, April 18 at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Chapel North Causeway New Smyrna Beach
Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Service 1 North Causeway New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 (map/driving directions)
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia
Matt Rossi
With all are love
Bill and Nancy
We have great sadness in our hearts upon hearing of John's passing. In all the years I worked in the rehab center at Halifax, there were few clients that me and my family would spend time with outside the program. John was one of the exceptions. I was truly blessed that his path crossed mine and so started a long, great friendship. I hold those memories of the great times we all had together (with Norm, Sid and Fred) very close to my heart.
Words cannot express our sincere sympathies. I will miss my friend.
Lots of Love,
Dave and Melissa Vogrin
Dorothy, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Jennifer and Vince Santorelly
I was going to talk about my friend, John, but he was more than that to me---John was a brother, a confidant, someone who was always there if you needed to talk (or to laugh). I met John in Cardiac Rehab at Halifax, and we were instant buddies. We made two trips to Germany together, and had many late night conversations covering a lot of subjects. We also had many laughs, one of which led to his being called O'Kellat. We were in Garmisch, looking for lunch,(we ate our way through Bavaria) when we spotted an Irish Pub.We tried the door, but it was locked. We had only taken a couple of steps, when two very Irish guys emerged and yelled at us.They asked our names, and we told them John O'kellat and Norm O"Brunn.They got a laugh out of that, invited us back when open later in the day and referred us to another good eating place. From then on we were O'Kellat and O'Brunn. I will be forever grateful for those trips and for the privilege of spending time with "my buddy". John was truly "what you see is what you got". I will miss him, but take solace in knowing that he no longer must fight that terrible illness, and in knowing that although he is no longer with us physically he will always be with us in spirit.
Officers and Members
William Washington #7
Disabled American Veterans
Chapter & Auxiliary
Jacksonville, FL
Denise Mathis, CMDR
JoAnn Ferreira(formerly SouthTrust Bank)
I met John while working in Cardiac Rehab at Halifax. He would bring in his grandson, JP, throughout the years while you were both raising him. I won't forget experiencing Too Jay's with you both, Fred Johnson, Sidney Weiner, and Lori Pierson for my very first time. I still have "Christ's birth in a nutshell" sitting on my windowsill that he brought back from Germany. I think of him when I look at it. He was an incredible man with strong opinions on so many controversial subjects and he called things as they were. No beating around the bush...one of the things I admired about him. I am so sorry for your loss and may God wrap his ever loving arms around you and give you his comfort and peace knowing that John's faith was so strong. He will be missed by so many. In Christ's love, Sue Crane
Frank Plescia, Hospital Representative NOTR WPB
Just wanted to say I love you all and you are in my Prayers, you know I have learned so much from John over the years and he has helped me so much with my own family. I love you Dorothy.