Leonard "Gene" Eugene Kelley

Leonard Eugene “Gene” Kelley, 86 danced his way into heaven on April 1, 2025 — and if you knew Gene, you know he probably strutted in like a tom turkey wearing a Virginia Tech Hokie hat, camouflage pants, and his freshly shined church shoes, whistling a country tune, and ready to start a fish fry.

Born March 2, 1939, in Bluff City, Gene grew up in Pearisburg, Virginia, and graduated from Pearisburg High School in 1957 — a proud RedDevil through and through. He played football, baseball, and basketball, but football held a special place in his heart. Maybe that’s because the fastest football player around just so happened to score the cutest little cheerleader in five counties, Nellie Mae Martin as his most impressive touchdown. They married on August 10, 1957, and built a lifetime of love, laughter, and oodles of community service. Nellie went on ahead just two months before him — clearly, she called him home.

Gene was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nellie; his parents, Ernest Bee Kelley and Maudie Gray Kelley; his brothers Wallace (Ruth), Garland (Colleen), Jerry; his sister Dolores; and his best friend, Doug Collins. No doubt they were all waiting for him with arms open for a big bear hug and eyes ready to roll at his next story.

Gene joined the Pearisburg Volunteer Fire Department the minute he was old enough, and he never stopped being proud of that badge. He rose through the ranks to become chief, and he told everyone he was a fireman. (Sometimes more than once.)

He wore stripes and blew whistles for decades as a referee and umpire across Southwest Virginia for the Virginia High School League, known far and wide as one of the fairest officials around. Boo him if you want, but if Gene threw a flag, you definitely deserved it.

For nearly 50 years, Gene also co-owned Kelley Gas and Oil with Nellie, where their customer service was so personal, they would recognize your voice on the phone before you even said a word – and this was before the curse of Caller ID. He only got fired once — from a bag boy job on his wedding day — because he ran out to get to the church on time. Not a bad reason to get canned.

When Gene wasn’t working or helping someone, you could usually find him in his favorite place: his cabin in the mountains up at White Gate. There, he’d climb up into his tree stand and sit for hours — quiet, patient, and completely content — waiting for the biggest buck possible to wander by. Much to Nellie’s chagrin, Gene only owned two types of clothes for much of his life: hunting clothes and everything else. The mountains were his peace, and he shared that love with friends and family whenever he could.

He was also known as Gene“ Gene the Dancing Machine” Kelley — the man could cut a rug anywhere, with anyone, anywhere, no rhythm required. He shut down dances all over Giles County, usually grinning from ear to ear.

Summers were for Claytor Lake, where Gene and Nellie camped, grilled, and told stories longer than the shoreline. He taught anyone who would let him how to spear a worm, cast a line, and clean a fish like a pro — always with a joke and a little bit of elbow grease.

He loved his community deeply and lived out his faith with quiet generosity — donating to all schools and clubs in Giles County fairly and equitably, buying more raffle tickets than you could shake a stick at and eating at more spaghetti suppers than we can count. He didn’t care if you were a Spartan or a Green Wave, or what your upbringing was, Gene believed in lifting others up — no grandstanding, no glory, just simple, good-hearted service rooted in his belief in Christ and his love for people.

Gene is survived by his son, Lennie of Pearisburg; daughter, Sandra of Newport; and granddaughter, Freedom of Seattle — along with his sister-in-law Mary Collins of Narrows; his special niece Tina Blaker (Lee) of Narrows and their family; and his dear friend Kevin Price. He also leaves behind a long list of cabin buddies who shared his insatiable zest for life, love for the mountains, the hunt, and a good campfire tale. We hope everyone will continue to tell “Gene stories” for decades to come.

A service to celebrate Gene’s remarkable life will be held Friday, April 11, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg, VA at 1pm with Pastor Michael Mitchener officiating with burial following in the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the church 1 hour before the service from 12 – 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider dropping money in the boot on the next “Boot Day” for the Pearisburg Volunteer Fire Department and/or donating your time and energy to your own favorite charity. Gene would want you to keep helping people in his name — sirens blaring, shined-up shoes on, and heart full.

The family is being served by Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg, (540) 921-1650; online at givensfuneralhome.com.