Deacon Ray O'Kelly

Deacon Ray O'Kelly started his writing career early. He was a journalist, he wrote poetry, song lyrics, business writing and now has penned now his first novel, The River Ends Here. In this book he brings together his writing skills coupled with his knowledge of Civil War history in Virginia. Drawing on his life experiences Deacon Ray has written a stunning and unique story that dates from the antebellum South until the end of the Civil War.

Between college and graduate school he joined the United States Army. His training in combat arms as a U.S. Army officer in the Vietnam War has given him a unique perspective not only in the art of war but also the horrors that war creates. He was surprised to discover that the tactical military decisions in Vietnam closely paralleled the same types of challenges faced by military leaders in the American Civil War.

After graduate school in history at the University of Richmond he became a professional salesman representing several large pharmaceutical companies. Here he studied human behavior and marketing techniques.

Living in and around Richmond, Virginia for over 30 years he came in close contact with the history of the former Confederate States of America. Reading extensively and visiting nearby battlefields helped him understand the challenges and choices of both Union and Confederate Generals. He credits his former history professors from the University of Richmond Graduate School with encouragement to pursue his Civil War novel.

Currently he and his wife live in Indian Land, S.C. and belong to Forest Hill Church in Charlotte, N.C.