Electrical Engineer and Adventurer John Michael Thomas Kelly Dies at 56

John Michael Thomas Kelly was an adventurous and brave individual who left an indelible mark on those around him. Born in 1970, he grew up with a passion for exploring the great outdoors, often spending his weekends fishing and camping on the Lake Worth pier with his parents.

As a young boy, John idolized the daredevil Evel Knievel and would build ramps in his driveway to test his own stunts. This sense of fearlessness stayed with him throughout his life, as he pursued various sports and activities, including snowboarding, cycling, surfing, and mountain climbing.

After graduating from Lake Worth High School's class of 1988, John went on to become an electrical engineer at Cisco Systems in Silicon Valley. He worked tirelessly on innovations in optic and circuit design, earning a patent in 2010 for improvements in data communication systems. His colleagues praised him as 'an exceptional colleague and an even better person,' who was 'hard working, detail-oriented, honest and genuinely kindhearted.'

Despite his accomplishments, John remained humble and grounded. He valued his relationships with family and friends above all else and spent much of his free time on trips with loved ones to exotic destinations around the world.

John's love for adventure was cut short when he passed away in Spain on August 19, 2026, at the age of 56. He is survived by his mother, father, brother Joel, and numerous friends and extended family members.