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Edward James “E.J.” Kelly III, age 39, of Atlanta, passed away suddenly on January 31, 2018 from cardiac arrest.
E.J. was born on December 30, 1978 in Irving, TX. He studied business at Kent State and Ohio State University before eventually becoming a Home Renovator and Investment Property Manager, which he did successfully for 10 years. He was talented in his field and had the personality of a born salesman, though his greatest gift was his genius imagination which resulted in many novel inventions. He was known to be very intelligent and athletic in his younger years and participated in many sports including soccer, wrestling, tennis, baseball, basketball and was even offered a scholarship in ballet due to his incredible dance skills. On top of that he also possessed a great talent for drawing and poetry, gathering much of his inspiration from his deep love of nature, the beach, and his local favorite, Piedmont Park. Known by his cousins as “EJ the DJ”, he was always the first to show his friends and family the newest and greatest music. He was a true modern-day renaissance man of many talents and abilities. He will be remembered as a champion with a big heart who loved his friends, his family and his life. He was the life of the party with a memorable laugh, a charming smile and beautiful blue eyes. E.J. was deeply loved and admired and will be missed by countless friends and family members.
E.J. was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Edward James Kelly I and maternal grandfather, Donald Peterson. E.J. is survived by his mother: Sherri Kelly of Sandy Springs; father and step-mother: Edward and Anita Kelly of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; siblings: Katie Kelly and husband Gavin of Peachtree City, Grace Kelly and special friend Matt of Los Angeles, CA, Brandy Steele and husband Jason of Loganville, Taylor Carpenter and wife Elizabeth of Dallas-Forth Worth, TX, Dalton Loughran of Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and James Carpenter of Dawsonville, GA; maternal grandmother: Lois Peterson of Maryland Heights, MO; paternal grandmother: Loretta Kelly of Saint Charles, MO; aunts and uncles: Godmother Karen Schooling, David Maldonado, Maureen Short, Shawn and Kim Kelly, Tim Kelly and Anita Geiger, Heather Connell, Godfather Steve and Susan Peterson, Laurie Fernau; nieces and nephews: Bella, Jude, and Ryder; cousins; Ryan, Ian, Collin Sheenah, Shane, Casey, Timothy, Tristen, Lauren, Patrick, Austin, Madi, Ryan, Chad Zachary, Greg, Todd and Colleen, and his beloved pit bull Gucci.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Twisted Taco, 115 Glynn Street South, Fayetteville, GA 30214. Friends may join the Kelly family to share thoughts, memories and stories of E.J. as they commemorate his life.
Flowers can be sent to the venue by 12PM on Saturday, otherwise they can be sent to 108 St Andrews Square, Peachtree City, GA 30269.
If you’d rather make a donation in his name, any memorial contributions may be made to The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Center. (Completely optional to add memorial contributions if you’d like friends and family to make donations to an organization in E.J.’s honor.)
The Kelly family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Hwy 54 West, Fayetteville. Messages of condolence may be left at www.GeorgiaCremation.com.
Sheenah says
E.J.
You are and will forever be so missed. I love you so much and hope that you knew that. Thank you for making this world more beautiful, fun, and entertaining while you were here. Heaven has another wonderful angel. Give Papa a hug for me. Love you.
Brandy Steele says
EJ. A big hearted, ambitious, family oriented, fun, guy with a sweet soul.
Although we weren’t blood related, he never treated me/ us as steps. He welcomed us into the family and truly was a big brother. We even nit picked like siblings.
We were alike in believing nothing mattered but your family. No false pretensions or fake persona, as who you saw was the real EJ. He was genuine true and true. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for those he loved.
A smart, quick witted, personable guy who had so much more to give. The ambitious stature influenced others around you to strive for more. He was a good apple.
I’m so honored to have got to know him over the years and glad he could share in our family experiences.
He leaves behind a many memories that will ring on through my family and we will cherish. His imprint on our hearts will always remain.
Although he is gone I have no doubt he is in peace, listening to some rave beats, and exploring the Tetons, as he planned.
Rest in peace big bro,
Love,
Brandy Steele and family
Laurie says
For My dearly loved EJ
My nephews eyes have gone forever
His smile, his laugh, his face
Where once he stood, before me
A lone picture, takes his place
Gone to soon, a fine young man
From here, your place of birth
I can’t believe, that this is real
That you no longer walk this earth.
Reality is, I know it’s true
But still I can’t believe
A fine young man, with so much life
Really had to leave.
I’ve loved you from your time of birth
I watched you grow and learn
My Nephew, my EJ, we shall meet again
When it’s our time, to return
I love you so much EJ
Aunt Laurie
Cathy says
Undoubtedly, forever loved by your Momma, Sisters, family & friends. Onward E.J.
Steve Peterson says
EJ, it’s been a little over two months since you left this earth and I think about you everyday. You were a person that always had big dreams and ideas of making it big in life. You had a big heart, you loved your family and life and I was blessed to be your godfather. I’m sorry that we always lived miles apart and we could not see or doing things together more frequently. I hope your at peace, and I know your are in the loving care of almighty GOD!! Say hello to papa Don and tell him I love him and miss him. Love you, Uncle Steve
Grandma Kelly says
Edward James Kelly III, My E.J., first born grandchild. You captured my heart from the start. It was like falling in love again is the only way to describe it. You were the only grandchild for six years, dearly loved by all in the family, and a little spoiled. I love so many precious memories from baby to adulthood. You had it all. Looks, intelligence, personality, good dancer, athletic; I could go on and on. You and Papa would go back and forth on who is the boss and you always won. Your answer was God. I still think and talk to you and wonder why it had to be so soon. Your always close in my heart. I miss and love you and pray you feel love and peace surrounding you. Kiss Papa for me.
Love, Hugs and Kisses, Grandma Kelly
Omari Weary-Fox says
Ej,I know it’s been over a year since you passed,but I was going through my things and found the tokens you gave me on my birthdays when I first moved to Atlanta.I’ll always remember the time Gucci ran by in yard and his chain cut below my ankle and now that it’s held up I kind of has a dolphin shape,rest easy EJ aka The coolest neighbor
Truet McDowell says
Dear Sherri and family,
I am so saddened to find out about EJ. It breaks my heart for all of you.
My little family remembers the times we shared.
I realize time has passed and we have lost touch but Powell just ran across this recently and I wanted to send our love.
Truet, Art & Powell