John F. Kelly was born on 6 September 1949 to Robert Corby Kelly and Margaret Elizabeth Kelly and is the fourth of seven children. After attending St. Matthew's Elementary School and Bishop Gallagher High School, he enrolled at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he received an A.B. degree with honors in 1972. He also holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, 1974. In addition, John holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law, 1983, and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1984. He completed a Ph.D. degree in political science at Wayne State University in 1996. His dissertation is entitled An Intra National Foreign Policy Agenda for Sub National Government. John is married to Toni Marie Kelly and they have two children: Rebecca Lynn and Dana Marie. His religious affiliation is Roman Catholic. John enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1972 and served four years. He holds the rank of Major in the Michigan National Guard. John was elected to serve in the State Senate in 1 978 and was reelected in 1982, 1986, and 1990. He retired from the State Senate in 1994. John is active in several community, neighborhood, and civic organizations, including the Detroit Committee on Foreign Relations and Amnesty International. He is involved in veterans' activities and is a member of the American Legion. He continues to support and work against casino gambling in Detroit.
From the description of John F. Kelly papers, 1872-1994 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 636557004
