John "Jack" Thomas Kelly, Jr.

John “Jack” Thomas Kelly, Jr., 73, a longtime resident of Orange Park, FL, passed away Monday, May 13th. Jack lived an incredibly full life, improving the community as an educator, hospital administrator, coach, mentor and volunteer. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he had countless friends. Jack rarely met someone with whom he could not quickly connect, and develop a personal relationship. Raised in New Jersey, Jack graduated from Collingswood High School, where he is in the Athletic Hall of Fame for his success as a basketball and football player. After proudly serving in the US Army in Germany, Jack attended Winona State University in Minnesota on a basketball scholarship. Upon graduation, Jack worked for the National Clearinghouse for Smoking and Health in San Diego, CA. It is there that he met the love of his life, Betty Ann. Jack and Betty Ann were married in 1968, and shortly thereafter moved to Tallahassee, so he could pursue a PhD from Florida State University. While attending graduate school at FSU, Jack also worked for the Maclay School, as a teacher and coach (basketball and soccer). Upon earning his PhD, Jack took a position as a professor at the University of North Florida in the Allied Health Department. In 1985, Jack left UNF to become an executive at Methodist Hospital. Prior to his retirement in 2000, Jack was instrumental in helping merge Methodist with University Hospital to create what is today UF Shands Hospital. In addition to his role as an educator and hospital executive, Jack also found time to be the head basketball coach at St. Johns CDS from 1983 to 1987. During his last two years, he led the Spartans to a combined record of 58 wins and only 7 losses. He was especially proud to have mentored many great young men, several of whom went on to play in college. An avid athlete until his final days, Jack was a member of the Northeast Florida Masters Basketball team for almost a decade, playing in National Tournaments throughout North America. During retirement, Jack became involved with several non-profit organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Fernandina Beach, Goodwill of Northeast Florida and the Salvation Army of Clay County. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Betty Ann; three sons, Sean Kelly (Susan) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Rhett Kelly of Jacksonville Beach, and Ryan Kelly (Kristen) of Ponte Vedra Beach; and three grandchildren, JT Kelly, Katie Kelly and Keelan Kelly. The family will receive friends for a viewing on Friday, May 17th from 6 to 8 PM at Broadus-Raines Funeral Home and a Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 18th at 10 AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7190 Highway 17 South, Fleming Island. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Salvation Army of Clay County or the American Heart Association. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St., Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 (904) 284-4000.