I met Kelly working at one of the mines in Green River. His contagious smile and good nature instantly made him likeable. He beame one of my favorite people and sort of a mentor. We would talk boating, business ideas, and anything else. He is a great man that will be remembered by me and my family. The world is a better much better plae because of people like Kelly. He will be missed.

Memories with Kelly

the day you took my senior homecoming photos.

Something Eric reminded me of the other day....Kelly's favorite saying was "You know, I'm a big deal"! Yes, he truly was!😊 What a great guy! We will miss him!💞

My heart feels both heavy and full of gratitude. Kelly was not just a friend—he was like family to me. We shared countless memories that began in high school and extended through every stage of our lives. It is hard to put into words the profound impact Kelly has had on my life and the lives of so many others.

Kelly was a compassionate soul who dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the people he loved. His love for his family and children was boundless, and he always put their well-being above everything else. His infectious smile and generous spirit lit up every room he entered, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

One of Kelly's most remarkable qualities was his sense of adventure. He embraced life with an unyielding curiosity and a relentless drive to explore the world around him. Whether it was embarking on thrilling outdoor escapades or simply challenging himself to grow in new ways, Kelly's adventurous spirit was truly inspiring.

Though we will miss Kelly dearly, we find solace in knowing that his journey does not end here. He is now on his next great adventure, watching over us from heaven. As we remember the incredible person he was, let us also celebrate the joy and love he brought into our lives.

To Kelly's family, my deepest thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing that Kelly's legacy of kindness, bravery, and boundless love will live on in our hearts forever.

Rest easy, my dear friend. Until we meet again on whatever adventure comes next.

To my brother Kelly, you're not in all of these pictures, but you are there in spirit. Long after you left the troop, the traditions that you helped the Scouts of Troop 312 start were maintained by the scouts themselves. Full uniforms, 12-month camping, pioneering projects, flag ceremonies for the community and at Scouting events, challenging the youth to lead, and always "Live the , Run the 12", these and more always bore your mark. Starting in 2001, you took them to summer camp in South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Canada, Oregon & Texas. They went on over the years to attend camp in 10 states and 2 Canadian provinces. You were the first in the troop to be recognized with a Vigil Honor in 2004, and over a dozen youth and adults followed in the years to come, starting with my son Alex and I in 2005. You were our only Eagle when we started, but now dozens have earned the rank. They continued to lash together entryways at camps and to perform flag ceremonies (with buglers!) at their own site and to perform correct flag ceremonies for the camps they attended.
Most importantly, you demonstrated the value of friendship, integrity and living the Scout Oath and Law. You will always be in my heart, and I will speak your name, because no one is truly gone whose name is still spoken and whose memory is cherished.

Dennis Freeman, 312 Asst. Scoutmaster, Order of the Arrow Capter Adviser & Lodge Assoc. Adviser, Scoutmaster, Committee Member, 2001 -2020

SENDING THIS NOTE WITH PICTURES IN CASE THE WEATHER PREVENTS ME FROM ATTENDING HIS FUNERAL.
IN ADDITION TO HIS FRIENDSHIP , I WILL ALWAYSI REMEMBVER KELLY AS THE ULTIMATE SCOUTER. HE KNEW THE PROGRAM, HAD THE SKILLS, AND JUST KNEW HOW TO GET THE BOYS INVOLVED. HE WAS A GOOD CITIZEN, PATRIOT , AND CHRISTIAN. I THINK THAT IS WHAT MADE HIM A GOOD SCOUTER. BUT HE GAVE EVEN MORE
EFFORT, HELPING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF ENJOYMENT AND RESPECT FOR BOTH BOYS AND ADULTS. THAT IS WHAT MADE HIM AN ULTIMATE SCOUTER.

THESE PHOTOS ARE HOW I HOPE I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM, FULLY INVOLVED IN ACTIVITY AND TOTALLY COMMITTED TO HIS BELIEFS. THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM HE COULDNT STOP TALKING ABOUT FLYING. HIS EYES JUST LIT UP AS HE TOLD ME ABOUT IT.

WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. YOU LEFT JUST A LITTLE BIT OF KELLY HERE, FOR WHICH WE ARE ALL A LITTLE BETTER.
PAX TIBI.

I only knew this man when he was a youngone. I briefly met him when I served with his Father, who was my Captain and I was one of his sergents. If this man was anything like his father I would have like to have known him. Rest well young man and say hello to my friend and captain.

The most amazing man . He was always happy and had the best advice. This was your wedding night .

Kelly walked into my life when I was 12. He'd fallen for my sister and I had no idea what an amazing person I'd have call me his little sister from then on. He had a mullet, a teal blue convertibe, a giant belt buckle and the most 90's striped western shirt you can imagine. He was a bull rider and self-proclaimed cowboy. But having grown up in the country I couldn't understand why a cowboy didn't have a horse and in fact seemed scared of them. I spent summers at their house and Kelly took me to do everything with him. My senior year I moved in with them so I could graduate early. On my way from MT my car broke down. Fiery red Toyota Celica with a snapped timing belt. Kelly said he'd fix it but what that actually meant was I would fix it. He took me to the auto parts store and we bought the Chiltons manual. It took us 2 days to disassemble what felt like the whole motor and half of the front panel. So many trips over to his dads garage and even more to the auto parts store. We got it fixed and he then taught me how to drift it using the e-brake claiming it was "defensive driving 101 and I NEEDED to know how to do it". I watched Kelly figure out how to be a dad. For someone who was such a hard ass he sure loved his baby boy. It changed him as a man, as a step-father and as a brother. He loved even harder. I still remember the time I got a little big for my britches, I was 18, graduated HS early, was in cosmetology school and owned my own car that I even know how to fix as well as my own flip-phone; so why wouldn't I think I could go out and party and come home like any other adult. You've never been scared till you close the refrigerator door after trying to satisfy your drunk hunger and there is a Kelly standing there completely quiet and still giving you his angry disappointed Kelly look. This man thought he could ground me for 3 weeks and take the keys to MY car. Needless to say I spent the next 3 weeks being dropped off to school in the family mini van and chilling in my room. He took my brand new flip phone too.

As time went on Kelly and I fell in and out of each others lives. I was trying to figure out my life and he was always watching from afar. When things would get hard he'd just "reappear" in my life with a phone call always acting like he needed something or couldn't remember something and I was the only one who could possibly have the answer. And he'd be there again until I got myself back together and was ready to give this big scary life another try.

The past 5 years Kelly taught me the most. Not because he finally was teaching me, he did that my whole life, but because I was ready to learn. He taught me the importance of close friends. The kind that act as confidants and advisors. He showed me how to love and that you can expect the same in return. He demonstrated to me confidence and integrity. He taught me everything he knew about business. Most of all he taught me that it's ok to have a person that anchors you to this world and let them in. He even saw me ugly cry once... I thought I was just crying he's who told me it was ugly. But he did fall on the sword and hug me even though I was ugly crying.

So he seems like a delightful person right? Wrong! He was a monster... he teased me all the time. Here I am just minding my own business and he'd start in with the teasing! He would wake me up early to go do all the things he wanted to do! Who, in their right mind, would want to go eat breakfast with friends, spend a weekend on a boat on the lake or go fly to some new place to eat. Then when you'd get there he'd do everything he could to make you laugh. God forbid he realize he might be making you feel a lil uncomfortable, that was like his own personal drug. He was convinced my love language was physical touch (one 10 question fb quiz says it, so it must be true) so when I was upset he'd just stand there and pet my hair. Or tell people he was just introducing me to, that I didn't really shake hands, hugs were more appropriate. And yes, he would do this at business intros. You ever been awkwardly hugged by the VP of a large corporation when you actually hate hugs and your brother is standing there very, very proud of himself. I told you, monster!

Kelly told me regularly that he was good if it were his time to go. He'd had a great life, had great love, was happy with everything he'd done with his businesses. I hated when he'd say it and I'd tell him to just stop saying it. But what I never said was that I was glad he was ready, but I wasn't ready for him to go. I hadn't had my great life yet. I hadn't gotten to show him all the things he taught me yet. My great life included him and I needed him longer. I reserved him a front row seat to see my great Kelly influenced life. But I guess I'm going to have to accept he'll be watching from the nose bleeds.

Kelly was my chosen big brother, anchor, my mentor and my best friend. I can't wait to see you again and hear you say "I love you Mandi-Lyn".