Kelley Vaughn Holbert

Kelley Vaughn Holbert, 86, of Grants Pass, died Friday, March 21, 2008 at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

He was born December 20, 1921 to Jessie & Kelley W. Holbert in Dallas, Texas. The family moved to Coos Bay while he was an infant. After graduating from Marshfield High School he attended the University of Oregon before being accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy. He later earned a masters degree in business administration from Harvard University and is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy War College in Rhode Island. On August 4, 1945 in Springfield, Massachusetts he married Dorothy Caroline Tittemore, who died March 23, 2007. As a career officer in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps, he raised his family while serving tours of duty in various locations on the East Coast and overseas, including Guam; Havana, Cuba; Naples, Italy; Barcelona, Spain and in Rota, Spain where he retired in 1975 at the rank of captain. He and his family moved to Grants Pass in 1976. He was active in the community, serving on the Josephine County Planning Commission and volunteering for United Way and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s Meals on Wheels. He was also an instructor for many years at Rogue Community College.

He enjoyed exploring the Oregon countryside, following sports and researching genealogy.

Survivors include his sister, Nancy Goddard of Arizona; three sons, Michael Holbert of Corvallis, David Holbert of Portland, and Will Holbert of Sacramento, California; and a granddaughter, Emily Holbert of Belleview, Washington. He was preceded in death by grandson, Matthew Holbert.