Daniel F. Kelly Jr., age 74, passed away on Thursday, February 2^nd 2023.

Dan was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and attended high school at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, IL. He graduated from Marmion in 1966 where he finished 2^nd in his class, was an All-State football player, Football Scholar Athlete of the year for the Suburban Catholic Conference, and earned an ROTC college scholarship.

After high school, Dan attended St. John’s University (SJU) in Collegeville, Minnesota where he continued his football career, excelled in his academic career and enjoyed an active social life! He cherished his time in Collegeville, where he met and married, Barbara Kelly, and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

After graduation, Dan began his service with the United States Army. While in the Army he completed training to become an Airborne Ranger; and was then stationed in Germany for the duration of his service requirement. Dan and Barbara’s time in Germany was highlighted by the arrival of their daughter, Kerry Kelly, in 1971.

Dan was honorably discharged from the Army in 1973 and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota with his wife and daughter. Shortly after their arrival, the family celebrated the birth of their second child, Sean Kelly. While in Minneapolis, Dan also began his professional career in public and then corporate accounting; and earned his CPA certification and his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law.

In 1979, Dan and his family relocated to Kansas City, Kansas to pursue new personal and professional opportunities. While in Kansas Dan developed many lifelong friendships, started a successful Finance and Accounting practice and founded several companies, including, Bell Pepper Pizza and Sgt. Preston’s restaurants.

In 1981, Dan was offered a Controller position with Gosnell Builders and relocated the family to Phoenix, Arizona to pursue this new opportunity. Dan was ultimately made the CFO of Gosnell Builders, where during his tenure the company built, owned and operated the Pointe Resorts among numerous other real estate and construction ventures. The Pointe Resorts were sold to Hilton International in 1998, and Dan left Gosnell Builders some time after the sale to start his own Finance and Accounting consulting practice. He branded the consulting practice as Southwest Financial Services and under this umbrella he worked with a multitude of businesses and individuals over the remainder of his career.

In the last year of his life, Dan returned to Munster, Indiana to be closer to his children and grandson. He was a loyal father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend and he will be missed.

He is survived by his children, Kerry Kelly and Sean Kelly; their mother, Barbara Kelly; his grandson, Michael Kelly; brothers, Tim Kelly, Terry Kelly and Kevin Kelly; sister-in-law, Sharon Kelly; daughter-in-law, Nicole Kelly; and his nieces, Megan Mackety and Erin Anderton. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Daniel Kelly Sr. and Elizabeth Kelly, and his sister Kathleen Kelly Lee.

Dan was the life of the party and filled every room he entered. “You only had to meet Dan once and you had a ‘Dan Kelly’ story.”

There will be a Celebration of Life for Dan at Aunt Chiladas in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 15^th 2023 from 4pm-7pm. If you plan to attend please RSVP per the link below. We are looking forward to hearing and sharing some “Dan Kelly Stories”!

RSVP for Celebration of Life at Aunt Chiladas

Aunt Chiladas

7330 North Dreamy Draw Drive

Phoenix, AZ 85020

https://www.auntchiladas.com/

There will be a Funeral Service for Dan at the St. John’s Abbey Church at 2pm on Saturday, June 17^th, and he will be laid to rest at St. Johns Alumni and Friends Cemetery immediately following the service.

A reception will be held for family and friend’s following the service and burial. Details for the reception will be provided at a later date, but if you plan to attend the services and/or reception please RSVP via the link provided here.

RSVP for Daniel F. Kelly Jr. Memorial Service

St John’s Abbey Church

2900 Abbey Plaza

Collegeville, MN 56321

https://saintjohnsabbey.org/church

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory can be made to the St. John’s University Student Fund, American Heart Association, V Foundation or other charity of your choice.

SJU Student Fund Donation Page

American Heart Association Donation Page

V Foundation Cancer Research Donation Page

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