Pat Kelley

Patrick "Pat" Kelley, a man whose life was defined by the open road, the thrill of the jump, and a deep love for his craft, passed away at the age of 71 on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Ashe Memorial Hospital.

Born on November 25, 1954, in Frankfurt, Germany, to the late Kent Alan Kelley, Sr. and Geraldine May Tower Kelley, Pat lived a life full of motion and adventure. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, a time during which he also discovered a lifelong thrill for parachuting.

Pat was a man of many profound, diverse talents. He earned a black belt in martial arts and, for a time, brought his creativity to the kitchen as a head chef in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But his greatest joy and true calling was found in the garage as a motorcycle fabricator. For 16 years, he poured his heart into his custom shop in Mountain City, Tennessee, before opening another shop in the town of Lansing, North Carolina in the early 2000s. He loved the life he built, finding incredible joy in traveling and the freedom of the ride.

In addition to his parents, Pat was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Candence.

Mr. Kelley is survived by: his companion, Betty Campbell of Lansing, NC, two brothers, Kent Alan Kelley, Jr. of Colorado, Thomas Kelley of Nebraska, one sister, Paulette Kelley Koziol of Nebraska, 1/2 sister Nancy Pigsley of Iowa; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

True to his independent spirit, Pat requested that no formal services be held. Instead, he would simply want his friends and loved ones to remember him the next time they find themselves riding down the highway with the wind in their hair. 

To honor his memory and his service, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a veterans organization of your choice.