Honoring a Legacy of Service: GENERAL PAUL X. KELLEY, USMC (RET)
Interfaith Community Outreach is proud to once again honor the extraordinary life and legacy of General Paul X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.), through the 2026 Veterans Tribute Pickleball Social. We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity and support of his daughter, Chris Kelley Cimko, whose sponsorship helps make this meaningful event possible while continuing her father’s lifelong commitment to serving others.
This special event supports local veterans and reflects the values General Kelley carried throughout his distinguished military and civilian career: leadership, service, integrity, and dedication to country and community.
General Kelley served as the 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1983 until his retirement in 1987. Subsequently, he served three Presidents as Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission, where he was responsible for the legislation, construction, and dedication of the National World War II Memorial.
As Commandant, General Kelley was responsible for the preparation and oversight of the Marine Corps’ budget and the training and equipping of more than 200,000 Marines serving across the globe. Prior to his nomination to the position of Assistant Commandant in 1981, the President appointed him to serve as the first Commander of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, a role in which he spearheaded the effort that culminated in its redesignation as the U.S. Central Command.
In the private sector, General Kelley served on ten New York Stock Exchange boards and twelve additional private corporate boards. He was a member of the Board of Advisors for J.F. Lehman and Company, and a Director of Saul Centers, Inc. and The Non Proliferation Trust. He also served on the Advisory Board of Governors for the Partnership for Public Service, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Advisory Board of the First Jobs Institute, Beta Gamma Sigma, and was President of the prestigious Alfalfa Club.
General Kelley held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from Villanova University and was a Distinguished Graduate of the Air War College. He received honorary doctoral degrees from his alma mater, Norwich University, Webster University, Jacksonville University, The United States Sports Academy, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
General Kelley was also an accomplished athlete. He played football in high school and college, was a Master Parachutist, a long-distance swimmer, and an avid handball player. Had he lived to see the rise of pickleball, there is little doubt he would have enjoyed the competition and camaraderie found on the court.
General Kelley was married to the former Barbara Adams of Fall River, Massachusetts, and was the beloved father of Chris Kelley Cimko and father-in-law of John Cimko of Duck, North Carolina.
Interfaith Community Outreach sincerely thanks Chris Kelley Cimko for her generous sponsorship of this year’s Veterans Tribute Pickleball Social. Her continued support honors her father’s extraordinary legacy and helps ensure his commitment to service lives on through direct support for veterans in our community.
We invite the community to join us in celebrating and continuing this legacy of service while supporting the men and women who have served our nation with honor.
