John Willis Kenelly

John Willis Kenelly, Jr., 80, of Clemson and widower of Charmaine Voss Kenelly, died Sunday, July 3, 2016 at his home in Clemson Downs.

Born in Bogalusa, LA, he was a son of the late John Willis and Erma Whittom Kenelly.

He was a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University (1957), earned his Masters from University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and his PhD from University of Florida (Gainesville).  He was a retired Professor Emeritus of the Math Department at Clemson University.  He had a very long and distinguished career in the Mathematics and Science field having been the chief reader for Educational Testing Services, a past treasurer of the Mathematics Association of America and past president of International Math Olympiad.  In addition to working with organizations that dealt with the SAT and ACT he worked also in the Advanced Placement program. He also authored and co-authored a number of textbooks in the Math and Science field. John was a devoted fan and supporter of the Southeastern Alumni Association.

John was a member of the Clemson Rotary Club where he was active in the Paul Harris Fellow program.   He also served on the board of Hospice of the Foothills and was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clemson.

Mr. Kenelly is survived by a daughter, Deidre Kenelly of Travelers Rest, SC; son, John Trent (Lynn Sparks) Kenelly of Anderson; sisters, Nell K Ovre of Vacaville, CA and Mary K Ward of Spartanburg, SC; grandchildren PFC Morgan Kenelly New London, CT, Gabrielle Kenelly and John Aidan Kenelly of Anderson, SC. He is also survived by his companion Patricia F Vernon of Denham Springs, LA.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by brothers, Patrick and Orville Kenelly.

Memorial services will be 2 PM, Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Clemson Unitarian Universalist Fellowship(230 Pendleton Rd, Clemson, SC 29631).  The family will greet friends following the service at the church in the reception hall.  Internment will be private at the Woodland Cemetery on the Clemson University campus.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to GHS Hospice of the Foothills, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29676 or to the Kenelly Voss Endowment  or to Kenelly Endowment, P.O. Box 1885, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29633 or Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation, SLU 10293 Hammond, La 70402.

A list of his various accomplishments and awards may be found at http://www.clemson.edu/science/departments/mathematical-sciences/about/history/kenelly.html

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.