Born in Atlanta, Georgia, O'Kelley received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Emory University in 1951 and a Bachelor of Laws from Emory University School of Law in 1953.

He was in private practice in Atlanta from 1957 to 1959, and was an Assistant United States Attorney of the Northern District of Georgia from 1959 to 1961, returning to private practice in Atlanta until 1970.

He was also a special hearing officer for the United States Department of Justice from 1962 to 1968.

[1] On October 7, 1970, O'Kelley was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia created by 84 Stat.

He was assigned as a judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1980 to 1987, and was Chief Judge of the Northern District of Georgia from 1988 to 1994.