John J. Kelly, III passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Freehold Township. He was a graduate of Freehold Township High School Class of 1980 and West Virginia Wesleyan Class of 1985 where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. John was an athlete in every sense of the word. He competed in football, baseball and basketball from a young age through college. He also enjoyed running, biking and racquetball. In high school, he was the Patriots's quarterback and at Wesleyan he played wide receiver. He was also a member of the Men’s Modified Softball League in Freehold Township and Slow Pitch League in Freehold Borough. John was an Ironworker for Local 40, and had worked at Depository Trust Company, NY and Morgan Keegan, in Dallas, TX. JK is best remembered for his sense of humor and the ability to make people laugh until they couldn't catch their breath. A ladies’ man, a great dresser and phenomenal dancer, he was known to be the life of the party. Through his organ donation, he was able to give the gift of life to others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara Kelly in 1994 and Jack Kelly in 2001. John is survived by his sisters, Barbara Kelly Davis and Denise Kelly and her boyfriend, Greg Schiefelbein; son, Caleb Jones; niece Christine Davis; nephews Danny Davis and Dylan Nugent; many loving aunts, uncles and cousins including Diane Pisciotta, Joseph Pisciotta, Debbie Zbylut and James Piscottia who were like a second mother and siblings; his partner of 10 years, Patti Phillips; his former in-laws, the Avallone family, and too many friends to count.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather for his 11:00 AM graveside service at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold Township. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Sharing Network, 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.