Birth date: Feb 14, 1927 Death date: Mar 30, 2022
Lester "Dutch" Thomas Kelley, age 95 of Rehoboth Beach, DE, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. He was born on February 14, 1927, in Harmony, MD, son of the late Francis E. "Frank” and Jenny (Marshall) Kel Read Obituary
We loved Dutch. He will always be with us.
He had the greatest of hearts and went out of his way to help anyone who he thought was in need. In this he was persistent and could deliver aid surprisingly fast. Inaction was never acceptable.
It was a gift to have worked with him at the Thrift Shop. He attracted and developed many volunteers who were a delight to be with.
To his family. We share your sorrow. Thanks for letting us have him for a short while.
Emma and Gene King
I was fortunate to meet "Dutch" Kelley when I bought my condo in Newbold Square in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in 2003. During the first many years of my spending time there, I became a friend of Dutch. In fact I volunteered to work on the common grounds with him! I remember riding in his pickup truck to get a load of mulch which we spread on the condo's grounds.
Not long ago I had the pleasure of seeing his fine wooden craftsmanship.
I will always remember seeing Dutch ride around on his power wheelchair with the American flag attached to the back of it.
Every time I am at Newbold Square I stop to admire the stone marker acknowledging his many years of service to that condominium property and reflect on how he contributed so much to it!
May he rest in peace!
Frank Bingman
So many memories of Dutch over the years and all of his creative ideas to help the community that he loved. May he rest in peace and know he leaves many behind who him great thanks.
Mary Makowski
Grandpa Dutch made everyone around him happy. A couple weeks before he passed, he managed to stand up on his own and walk, which made my whole family's eye boggle. He just looked at us with his candid gaze and said, "Every day gets better!"
Working at New Life Thrift Store was easy and fun because of Dutch. With his easy going personality, he made it a joy to be there. Even after he retired from NLTS, he was mentioned fondly and frequently. Will remember him always.
Fondly,
Terry Jacques
I had the pleasure of working with Dutch at the New Life Thrift store for many years. He was such a nice man. May he rest in peace. Christine Shumate
