Drew Alan Kelley
Drew Alan Kelley, 72, of Ft. Myers, FL peacefully passed away on Monday April 22, 2024. Drew was the son of the late Arthur Kelley and is survived by his loving mother Dixie Kelley, his sister Piper Hunt (Michael) of N. Ft. Myers; brother Kent Kelley (Claudine) of Ft. Myers; nieces, Aubrey Kelley and Darby Bethuy; nephews, Nigel Kelley and Ethan Kelley.
Drew was born in Ft. Myers and enjoyed five generations of relatives born locally that included his “Nana” Isabelle (Hendry) Kelley. Drew was a devoted Christian man who attended Bayshore Community Chapel in N. Ft. Myers with his family in his growing up years. Later he joined First Assembly of God on Summerlin Road where he and his former wife were members for many years. He played trumpet with the orchestra at Assembly and was very involved with the church functions.
Drew graduated from Ft. Myers High School in 1969 and enlisted with the Navy in 1972 for four years where he worked on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal Aircraft Carrier. Drew returned to Ft. Myers after his military stint and worked at A.W. Kelley’s Gardens, the family nursery business, in South Ft. Myers on Hendry Creek Drive. He became Vice President of the corporation where he worked until his retirement.
Drew had a jam-packed upbringing with hunting, fishing, lobstering, camping trips, boy scouts and endless family get-togethers with family from both sides which continued into his senior years.
Family and friends are all welcome to attend Drew’s celebration of life at Parkway (Briarcliff) Baptist Church at 6211 Briarcliff Road in South Ft. Myers, 33912 on Saturday May 18th, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Services will be conducted by Pastor Leonard Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family’s scholarship fund at FSW State College Foundation. For online donations, visit foundation.fsw.edu/fa-hendry-scholarship/ or for checks, make payable to FSW Foundation with memo FA Hendry Scholarship and mail to FSW Foundation, C/O FA Hendry Scholarship, 8099 College Parkway, Suite I-124, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.
You will be greatly missed. Prayers of comfort for all who are mourning. I find comfort in knowing you are in a wonderful place. You are well and not suffering as you did here on this earth.
Sing loud Drew!
I worked with Drew and his family at AW Kelley’s Gardens for 6 years. Drew took me under his wing and educated me about the different plants and palm trees. I learned so much from him, he was so smart and professional in the Ornamental Plant Business. He will be missed in many ways. Rest in Peace!!
I will always remember Drew as a kind, gentle and intelligent person. He loved to sing at Karaoke and went almost every week with his brother Kent. Drew loved his family and had an unconditional love for his brother as Kent had for him. Drew will be missed. You made it Drew to sing with Jesus in Heaven.
I lovingly called him my brugly other sometimes. Drew & I became very close over the past several years. We went to karaoke once a week until about a year ago and Drew just couldn’t catch his air to sing anymore. The copd was getting worse every year. I knew Drew better than anyone. He had a heart of gold and was a good Christian man. We talked about scriptures of the Bible a good bit. Our last words to each other in ICU were surreal. I treasured all our times together but knew it would come to an end. But Noone can ever predict that day. I will miss him. The good times will be a beacon of light in this sometimes harsh world. Drew would occasionally refer to Isaiah 40:31 and say this part: they shall mount up with wings like eagles. He said this during our last verbal exchange when he was on the bipap at 8 pm. He passed away at 1:10 am that evening. We said what needed to be said to each other in those last words. He was at peace with the situation and not afraid. We were both already fully aware of how close we were and how we truely cared about each other. Drew was a good man, a good brother, a good son and had a great and true soul. God bless him.
What a great man blessed with a wonderful family! Our sincere condolences and so very sorry to say we will be out of the country on his memorial service date. We are praying for the family and send our love. Please give my favorite Aunt Dixie a big hug!! 💞🙏🏻
My big brother Drew will be sorely missed. He always looked out for me and had the kindest heart in the world. Our dad welcomed him with open arms in heaven to help him tend God’s garden. And he’s singing with God’s angels now.
“Death ends a life, not a relationship. All the love you created is still there. All the memories are still there. You live on – in the hsarts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here” (author, Morrie Schwartz)
Love from “Sister Golden Hair” (as he used to call me)
Just a few months ago my wife and I made our first visit to the Pickle and Pub…and we instantly thought of Drew. He spoke of singing karaoke there, and I had the pleasure of having him sing when I hosted karaoke at the Moose. He was such a kind and gentle soul who made the world a better place. Rest in peace!
Drew was such a nice guy and he was always willing to lend a hand. I remember him best from working at the nursery and he was always there with some quality information ready to get you what you needed. He had the knowledge you needed about every plant they sold. He was raised by a wonderful family and will be missed by all. Rest in peace my friend. your dad is there waiting for you.
Sliding Rock North Carolina
Funny Guy ehh!
Drew was a very sweet and caring man who always said hi with a great big smile. He’s in heaven now dancing and
Playing his trumpet. Praying for his sweet family.