Raymond Kell, a Madison Heights resident for over 50 years, celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday, surrounded by family members representing his impressive legacy of 62 grandchildren, including great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
"Well, I had a good wife and a lot of kids," Kell said.
After serving in WWII, Kell met his wife Vivian, and together they had 10 children. Their partnership lasted nearly three-quarters of a century.
"She was a wonderful wife, and we were married for 70 years. She passed away when she was 94. I think I owe a lot to Vivian, more than I know, because I was working and traveling," Kell said.
His career with General Motors took him across continents, requiring extended periods away from home.
"They sent me to Brazil and Argentina, Ecuador, South