Obituaries: Dr. John Luther Kelly, 1934, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: November 9, 1934 Winnfield News-American

Killed When Car Heads Into Bridge

Native of Winnfield and Prominent Physician of Oak Grove

Dr. John Luther Kelly of Oak Grove, brother to Dr. Dan W. Kelly, formerly of
Winnfield, and member of one of the oldest and best known families of Winn and
Grant Parishes was killed near Rayville early Wednesday morning when an
automobile in which he was riding crashed head-on against a bridge.  The
driver of the car, Joe Kelly, nephew to the crash victim and son of Dr. Dan W.
Kelly, suffered a fracture of his left arm and minor injuries.

Reports from the inquest that was held following the accident and as related
by Joe Kelly state that Dr. Kelly had been sleeping beside him in the car and
upon awakening grabbed the driver's arm because he believed the car was about
to leave the highway.  The jerk on the driver's arm is blamed for the
accident.

The car rolled down the embankment and Dr. Kelly was pinned beneath the
machine.

A native of Winnfield, Dr. Kelly had practiced his profession at Oak Grove for
15 years.  He filled a prominent place in the civic affairs of the community
and was active in the American Legion.  He was former commander of the Oak
Grove post and former area commander.

Dr. Kelly was educated at Sewanee University and the University of Tennessee. 
He joined the army in 1917 and was sent to Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga.  In France, he
served in the battles of St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne.  He was discharged
from the army in June, 1919.

At the time of his death, Dr. Kelly was a medical examiner for the United
States veterans' bureau and was a member of the state board of health.

Funeral services were held at the family residence in Oak Grove Wednesday
afternoon, with the American Legion post of that city, of which he was a
charter member, and the second commander, in charge.

Interment was made in the national cemetery at Alexandria Thursday afternoon
at 3 o'clock.

Out of respect to the memory of Dr. Kelly, a foremost citizen and civic
leader, business establishments of Oak Grove were closed for the funeral
Wednesday afternoon.

He is survived by his widow and one son, Luther Kelly, a student at La. Tech.