Doug was born to the late Fred T. and Emma Mae Kellis on November 4, 1937, in Newport News and was raised in Hilton. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 10, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Doug was a student at Warwick High School, where he was an outstanding pitcher for the varsity baseball team. He was extremely proud of pitching a ‘No hitter” during this time against their rival Newport News High School. Doug was also a member of the varsity basketball team and the Glee Club. It was during his time that he met the love of his life, Helen Maybelle Walker.

Doug went on to graduate from the Oak Ridge Military Institute where he went to play baseball. Upon his graduation, he attended the University of Virginia and Lynchburg College. Doug was fortunate enough to play baseball throughout college and for a farm team in the Piedmont area. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart on August 15, 1959. He graduated from Lynchburg College in June 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in Economics.

Doug and Helen made their home in the Denbigh Plantation neighborhood in Newport News, where they raised their two children, Mark, and Stacey, and still reside fifty-two years later. Doug worked at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia for twenty-seven years as a Supervisor Management Analyst and retired in January 1993. He also obtained his real estate license, which he started doing full-time once he retired and continued doing so for another twenty-plus years. He was an active member of Hilton Christian Church until his death, where he also served as a deacon, elder, Chairman of the Elders, and Chairman of the Board. Doug was an avid golfer and was a long-term member of the James River Country Club.

Doug was preceded in death by his wife and love of 65 years, Helen Walker Kellis; his parents, Fred T. and Emma M. Kellis; his brothers, Eddie Kellis (Helen) and Freddie Kellis (Iris); and his nephew, Shane Brookman.

Doug is survived by his son, Mark D. Kellis (Joan); daughter, Stacey Kellis Godsey (Jamie); sister, Deborah Kellis Ogren (Ken); brother-in-law, Joseph R. Walker; grandchildren, Jakob S. Bagwell (Chelsea), William W. Kellis, Nathan K. Godsey, Hannah G. Godsey; great-grandchildren, Thomas L. Bagwell and Ainsley Caroline Bagwell; and so many other special cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A memorial service will be conducted by Pastor Nathalie Chamberlain on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Hilton Christian Church, 100 James River Dr., Newport News at 11:00 A.M. The family will receive guests at a reception following the service.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Roxanne McMillian for her extraordinary friendship and care during this time. We also want to thank the amazing HCC family for their love and support of our family.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hilton Christian Church, 100 James River Dr. Newport News, VA 23601.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home in Newport News, VA.