Michael Ray Kelly
January 19, 1989 – May 12, 2004
Michael was our second child and was born 15 years and 13 days after our oldest son. He was 8 weeks premature and only weighed 3 lbs., 10 oz. and was 16 3/4 inches long. He spent 3 weeks in the hospital to gain weight.
He was a very happy person. He loved life. His family was very important to him. His brother John was his special person. He worried so much while John was on active duty in Iraq and was so happy when he came home safe. He was his Dad’s fishing buddy. He loved being outdoors. His nephew Turner stayed with us while his father was overseas and his mother was on active duty. Uncle Michael was and is very important to Turner. His sister-in-law Izzy was more of a sister than an in-law and he loved her. There will soon be a new nephew who will never know his uncle personally but will know him because of our love.
During the summers Michael loved going to the mountains of Virginia to visit his grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had many happy times with cousins who were a lot older than he was but would include him in their plans.
Michael was a 15 year old high school freshman who thought that homework was meant for someone else but not for him. He was a member of the JROTC unit at Hertford County High School. He had received a promotion to Cadet Sergeant on the day of his death. He especially loved doing Color Guard. This is what he had been doing at a local community college graduation
On his way home he was involved in a car accident and was ejected from the car.
Michael would be happy and proud that he was able to help two people by the gift of his eyes. It has also helped his father and myself to know that something good has come out of this.
Michael was our love and our joy and will be with us always.
Arthur (Sonny) Ketchie
My husband Arthur Ketchie went by Sonny. His sister named him Sonny when he was little. Sonny was a great person and father of two boys. We were married for 36 years. He had one granddaughter. Sonny loved a pretty yard, he worked in his yard and flower beds a lot. People in our neighborhood said he had one pretty yard. He loved to watch baseball. His sister would come from California every summer to spend time with the family. They would go to the beach and mountains, and to see relatives. He worked for Pine State Creamery. One day Sonny said to me, “Let’s get a small dog”, so we did. He called her K.C. and from then on she was daddy’s little girl. We will miss him very much, but at least we know he helped other people by being a donor.
The Ketchie family
Robert Knight
Matt was a happy guy. He loved his dog Otis. He took him everywhere he could. Matt loved to be around people – he was very liked and well known. We would travel as much as possible. He loved for us to dance, go out to dinner, and walk on the beach. Matt also loved his music – we always knew when he was home because we would hear him pull in.
He was a great guy and liked to do for others just to see them smile. He was the love of my life. He was the best.
Arin Alexander
Thomas J. Kropp, Jr.
Thomas J. Kropp, Jr. was an amazing husband, father and grandfather. He had an unmatched thirst for life and a tremendous desire to help everyone he could.
Tom began his life in Canton, OH in 1945. He went on to serve his country in both Vietnam and Korea. In the beginning of his 25 year career at Diebold as a bank installer, he met the love of his life, Linda. They have been married for 32 years and have two children, Thomas III and Deborah, along with two grandchildren, Kevin and Hannah.
Later in life, Tom came to love motorcycling again as he had before he was a father. Becoming a part of the Harley Davidson community was something Tom was very proud of. More than motorcycling, however, Tom truly loved being a part of his own community. He gave freely to his church and his friends in any way he could. Many will sorely miss him for all that he gave and all that he was.
During this time of extreme grief, it comforts his family to know that other people have received some of the most precious gifts Tom could give.
