Obituary of T. Earl O'Kelley

T. Earl O'Kelley (75) resident of Santa, ID died November 5, 2013 at Kootenai Health, Coeur d' Alene, ID. Earl was born March 14, 1938 to James and Jessalye (Acree) O'Kelley at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. He grew up at Walnut Creek and attended school there. As a young man, he worked in construction as a carpenter in Vallejo, California while his father was stationed with the Navy at Mare Island Shipyard. He married Joyce Schroeder on December 31, 1968 at Reno, NV. They made their home at San Leandro, CA. Earl went to work for Pacific Gas and Electric while living there. Through out his life, he had the nickname "Earl the Pearl". Illness forced him to retire after working there for 8 years. Earl and Joyce purchased property in Fernwood , ID in 2004 and moved to the area to be near his aunt and uncle Bill and Shirley Acree. They sold the property in 2006 and purchased their home in Santa, ID. Earl loved gardening, going fishing and woodworking in his shop. Earl is survived by his wife Joyce at the family home in Santa, ID. His mother Rev. Jessalye Ciupek of Napa, CA., His son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Michelle O'Kelley of Las Vegas, NV. And his sister Shirley (Edwin) Vintoiella of Ione, CA. also surviving are his aunt Shirley Acree of Fernwood, Special friends David and Gail Cheyney of Fernwood, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. At Earl's request, no services are planned. Visit his online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read T. O'Kelley's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.