Brian Francis Kelley

Brian Francis Kelley, 42, of Florence, SC, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Brian was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, on June 3, 1974, a son of Eugene Francis Kelley and Regina McKenna Kelley. Brian graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1992 and FMU in 1996 with a degree in Economics and Political Science.As a student, he was involved in the following: while at FMU, Brian was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, President of the Student Government Association, Member of the Student Government Association for several years and was actively involved in student life and intramural sports. He was an avid golfer and loved sports. Brian was a loyal alumni of Francis Marion University.The following is a summary of his activity since graduation:he was a lifetime member of the FMU Alumni Association and a member of the FMU Alumni Association Board of Directors for 6 years, serving 2 terms as president.In 2016, Brian received the Professional Achievement Award in Business and Industry from the FMU Alumni Association.In 2016, Brian was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society.He was an ardent supporter of FMU through his time, service and giving. Brian was a proponent of students and alumni, and an ardent supporter of student scholarships at FMU. Brian was a leader in both his career and the Florence Community. He was the President & CEO of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, Inc.(2015 – present), President & CEO of Pee Dee Electricom, Inc.(2015-present), Board Member, Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc., Board Member, Cooperative Electric Energy Utility Supply and Line Equipment Sales, Member, Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, Member, Statewide Manager’s Association, Member, South Carolina Power Team, Chief Administrative Officer (2014-2015), Vice President of Marketing (2004-2014), Vice President of Member Service (2002-2004), Graduate, NRECA’s CFPC, Graduate, NRECA’s MIP, Member, McLeod Fellows Class of 2017, Member, Florence Rotary, Member, Florence Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman, Pee Dee Regional Education Center, member of Florence County Economic Development Partnership, member of Florence Regional Arts Alliance, the Florence Career Center Advisory Committee and the Florence Education and Economic Development Task Force. Brian was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Donnie and Janice Helms. In addition to his parents, surviving are his wife, Deborah Helms Kelley; brother, Thomas Eugene (Crystal) Kelley and their children, Kyla and Griffin Kelley of Wilmington, MA; brothers-in-law, Daniel (Jennifer) Helms and their child, Stella, of Jefferson, SC and Donald (Jessica) Helms and their children, Heartlee and Deaven of Florence, SC; step mother-in-law, Debbie Helms; aunts, Brenda Vermillion of Florence and Jean (Hugh) Leatherman of Florence; cousin, Shaun (Stacy) McKenna and their son, Shane, of Salt Point, NY and a large extended family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at St. Anthony Catholic Church.Entombment will follow at Mount Hope Mausoleum directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the funeral home. The family requests that memorial gifts be designated to HSAN1E Research in honor of Brian Kelley at Mayo Clinic. Gifts can be mailed directly to Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or to the Francis Marion University Scholarship Fund in Brian Kelley’s Memory, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC, 29502. Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. Kelley at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.