O.L. "Kal" Kelehear

Mr. O. L. “Kal” Kelehear, 84, of Dalton passed away Thursday morning, June 2, 2011, at his residence.
He was preceded in death by his parents, O. L. and Sarah Kelehear; sisters, Lib LaParte, Ann Baker and Amy Kelehear.
Kelehear and his family moved to Dalton in 1967 when he joined Westpoint Pepperell Carpet and Rug Division. He quickly became active in church and community service, a custom that he continued well after retiring from J & J Industries in 1994. He served as interim president of the Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce in 1997.
The Brunson, S. C. native was named Dalton-Whitfield County’s “Man of the Year” in 1986 by the Daily-Citizen News.
He served as president of The Rotary Club of Dalton where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. A co-founder and charter trustee of the Dalton Education Foundation, he served multiple terms as president. He also served as president of the Dalton High School Quarterback Club.
Kelehear chaired the City of Dalton Recreation Board; the City of Dalton Public Safety Commission; the Carpet and Rug Institute Industrial Relations Club, the Merit System Advisory Board of Whitfield County and the United Way Industry Committee. He co-chaired the Dalton-Whitfield Target Tomorrow Steering Committee.
At Dalton First United Methodist Church, Kelehear chaired the Administrative Board; the Finance Committee; the Staff/Parish Relations and various other committees.
He provided his leadership skills as either board member or director to the (Georgia) State Merit Board; Dalton Whitfield Chamber of Commerce; Dalton Junior College Foundation; American Heart Association – Whitfield Chapter; Whitfield Healthcare Foundation; Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership; Dalton Public Schools Community Quality Council and Alliance One Board.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Burrell Kelehear of Dalton; children, Sparky and Pat Kelehear of Dalton and Zach Kelehear and Karen Heid of Columbia, S. C.; grandchildren Katie and Chris Guy; Sarah Kelehear; Hannah Kelehear; Ben Kelehear; brother, Jack Kelehear of Islandton, S. C.; and brother-in-law and his wife, Steve and Diane Burrell of Wilkesboro, N.C.
Funeral services will be Sunday, June 5th at 2 p.m. at the Dalton First United Methodist Church of Dalton with the Rev. Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating.
The family will receive friends in the church atrium following the services.
The family requests that Memorial Gifts be sent to one of two places: either Dalton First United Methodist Church or Dalton Education Foundation. Gifts sent to the church at P. O. Box 627, Dalton, GA 30722-0627 may be designated either for the “Facilities Endowment Fund” or the “Weekday Children’s Ministry Scholarship Fund.” Gifts sent to the education foundation may be addressed to Dalton Education Foundation, P. O. Box 1408, Dalton, GA 30722-1408.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.