Leon Kelly Jr.

Leon Kelly, age 76 of Dayton, passed away Thursday, August 7, 2025. He was born December 30, 1948 in Eclectic, Alabama the son of the late Leon Kelly Sr and Clara K. Kelly(Purter). Leon attended Roosevelt High School. Leon had a 43 year long career working for Dayton Public Schools as a lunch truck driver and later as a grounds keeper. He also worked for Liberal Market and General Motors. Leon was an entrepreneur and small business owner who founded Kelly's 8 Ball Billiards Club and Kelly's Towing. He had a life long passion for Boxing and for 41 years he was a Boxing Coach at Dayton Metro Boxing and Kelly’s Gladiators as well as Wright Patterson Air Force Base Hawks. Leon loved spending time outdoors and would cherish time spent camping and fishing with his wife and family. He was a member of the Buckeye Explorers, National African American RV Association (N.A.A.RV.A.), and Family Campers & RVers (FCRV). Leon was a man of faith and attended the First Baptist Church of Ridgewood Heights earlier in life, and Bethel Church of God in Christ most recently. Leon touched a lot of people's lives. He was very involved in youth mentoring and was an amazing Husband, Father and Friend to many. Leon will be deeply missed.

He is preceded in death by his Parents; Son, Leon Kelly, III; Daughter, Udonna K. Ball (Kelly); and Brothers, London Joe Kelly, Sr., and Mark Kelly.

Leon is survived by his Wife, Diane F. Kelly; Daughters, Dawn "Michelle" Kelly, Tosha (Quentin) Adams, SeLena Clara Kelly, Marketta Harvey; Sons, Keith E. (Trina) Kelly Sr., JR (Brian Henson) Kelly, Kenneth Adams, Sr., Kevin L. (Chauncia) Kelly Sr., Michael R. Harvey, Mitchell Harvey, Maxwell Harvey, Brian Harvey, Christopher Harvey; and by numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and a of close cousins and extended family, and close friends.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

A Visitation will be held Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 12:00PM until the time of the service at 2:00PM at Newcomer Funeral Home - Kettering Chapel (3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering, Ohio 45439). To share a memory of Leon or leave a special message for his family, please visit the Guestbook below.