Chaplain Colonel Lawrence Larry Anthony Kelly Jr. 78 of 808 College St. Newberry died Saturday March 26 2011 at Dorn VA Medical Center. Chaplain Colonel Kelly was born in Charleston on December 23 1932 the son of the late Lawrence Anthony Sr. and Emma Styles Kelly. He was a life long student always reading and always learning. Chaplain Colonel Kelly received an undergraduate degree from Coker College an MBA from the University of South Carolina and a Masters of Divinity from Duke University. He has been a member of the SC Methodist Conference since 1960. Chaplain Colonel Kelly retired after 31 years with the United States Military. He first enlisted in the US Navy where he served for four years including service in the Korean Conflict. He later served in the US Army (including two tours in Vietnam) and as Chaplain in the Combat Jump Wings with the 173rd Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. His last post was at Fort Jackson SC until his retirement in 1995. Among his numerous military medals and awards are the Legion of Merit medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster the Bronze Star with Valor the Purple Heart and the Meritorious Service medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. In 1991 he was presented the State of South Carolina Order of the Palmetto. He spent most of his retirement with his family and loved building furniture woodworking and gardening. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church. Chaplain Colonel Kelly is survived by his wife Joyce Dennis Kelly of Newberry; children Lawrence A.(Kitty) Kelly III of Columbus GA; Kathleen Kelly and Mary Anne K. Glass both of Newberry and Patricia K. (Bryan) Dowd of Gaston; sisters Cile K. (Bob) Barber of Newberry Dorothy K. (Furman) McKnight of Charleston Patricia Kelly of Newberry and Ann (Robert) Smith and Barbara Britz both of Charleston; grandchildren Larry Michael Johnny Adam Katie Matthew Robert Joshua Christian Patrick Rachel and Liam; 8 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Newberry. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Central United Methodist Church by the Rev. Bill Brown and Rev. Karen Radcliffe. Interment with military honors will be at 2:00 PM at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Memorials may be made the American Heart Association Mid Atlantic Affiliate PO Box 5216 Glen Allen PA 23058-5216; or to the American Cancer Society c/o Helen Beebe 181 Trailers Trail Leesville SC 29070. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family. DIRECTIONS TO FT. JACKSON NATIONAL CEMETERY: From Newberry: Take I-26E towards Columbia. Merge onto I-20 E toward Florence Exit 107B Exit on Clemson Road Exit Exit 80 Turn Right onto Clemson Road Turn Left onto Percival Road Ft. Jackson National Cemetery is on the right.