Kevin Michael Kelly
Our beloved son, brother and father, Kevin Kelly, died in a boating accident on September 2, 2011 at Hauser Lake.
Kevin adored teaching his daughter, Jessica, to fish. He loved woodworking and built Jessica an elaborate dollhouse for Christmas. He enjoyed boating, playing and building guitars, telling tall tales, living it up, and making us laugh. His impish grin was contagious to all who experienced his charm. He was mischievous, kind, artistic, and fearless.
Kevin was born in Fairfax, Virginia on May 15, 1976. He attended Horizon High School in Scottsdale, Arizona and worked as a machinist and mechanic. Kevin married Crystal Thorpe on April 24, 2004 at his parent’s ranch and created a new family with her son, Christopher Herren, followed by the birth of their baby girl, Jessica Lynn Kelly.
Kevin is survived by wife, Crystal Kelly; daughter, Jessica; step-son, Christopher; his parents, Keith and Norma Jean Kelly; brothers, Keith (Amy)Kelly and Conan Kelly (Peggie); sister, Shannon Kelly; grandparents Joe and Helen Walsh; aunts and uncles, Tom (Laurie), Pat (Vicki), Sherry (Tom), Stephen Walsh (Julie), Raylene Walsh, Lynne Grant (Paul), David McLaughlin (Janne), Erin Horstmann (Mike); nephew Robert Kelly and nieces Jacqulyn and Cassidy Kelly and many cousins.
Visitation will begin 9:00 a.m. today, September 7th with the family receiving friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. The family will also receive friends 1 hour prior to the funeral Mass. Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday September 8th at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. A reception will be held in the church immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, contribution can be made to the Jessica Lynn Kelly Education Fund at Bank of the Rockies, 2000 Prospect Avenue Helena, Montana 59601. www.bankoftherockies.com, 406-495-1900. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Alexandra (Waldrep) Edmonds says
You will be in our hearts forever. You always had a great smile for everyone and will truly be missed. We love you. Prayers and thoughts for Crystal, Jessica and all the family.
Artee Williams says
Keith: I pray for God’s peace for you and your family. May you find comfort in knowing that God knows your sorrow and pain, he will comfort,heal and sustain you.
Your friend from Arkansas
Artee Williams
Bess Wong & Rick Applegate says
Dear Keith & Norma,
So sorry to hear of your great loss. We are thinking of you.
Betsy Baumgart says
Dear Keith and Family,
I can’t imagine what you are going through, but I wanted to let you know that I will keep you all in my prayers.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Betsy Baumgart
Bette and Rich Munger says
Dear Keith, Norma & family,
Rich and I were shocked and saddened by the news of Kevin’s tragic accident. Words are never enough to express our heartfelt saddness. Somewhere we need to hold onto the fact that life is still rich when we search for the beauty that surrounds us in each day. We are thinking of you. Take good care.
Bette and Rich Munger
Bill & brande Ziebell says
Kelly Family,
We are truly saddened by the loss of Kevin. we will miss him dearly. as long as we have known Kevin he was always kind hearted,honest and ALWAYS happy. His one of a kind smile was very contagious, you could not help but smile and giggle a little when he flashed that million dollar grin of his. We have so many wonderful memories with him. He will be truly missed. Kevin has touched the hearts of so many in so many different ways, especially little Jessica. Kevin was the best daddy any little girl could ever ask for.( I can just see him saying ” oh stop your makin me blush a little) he absolutely adored her. Jessica now has her own very special angel to watch over her, with every new freckle that she receives will be a kiss from her Angel so she will ALWAYS know he is with her and watching over her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. We have all been blessed to have had such a wonderful person in our lives. Until we meet again old friend. we love you Kevin!
Bill and Brande Ziebell
Bill Fogarty says
Keith and Family,
We are very sorry to learn of Kevin’s untimely passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
William C. Fogarty
Bob Simoneau says
Keith, Norma Jean and Family, my sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Son, Kevin. May God bless you and give you strength during this very difficult time.
Bobby, Carol, Baylee and Bobbi Brooks says
Kelly Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. I am not able to make it tomorrow to the funeral due to work but know that you all are in our prayers. Love you all very much. Carol Sue
Brandy,Haley, & Heidi says
Our girls went to daycare together for the last few years. I was so sad to hear the news. Kevin was always kind when we would see eachother, when we would be picking up our girls. And you could always tell that he and Jessica adored eachother! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and especially Jessica. My girls’ father is also their angel, taking care of them from heaven. If you need anything, or if Jessica just needs to get her mind off things. Please don’t hesitate to ask, she is always welcome at our house. And I would be more than happy to keep her over night anytime. I am so sorry, with deepest sympathy.
Chase Campbell says
Dear kelly family, i had the pleasure to work with kevin at townsend marine for about 4 years. He started a week after i got hired and instantly we became friends. we were always getting in to trouble because we constantly were talking to each other! its hard to explain just how great kevin was because he was the best friend a person could ever have! he helped me with so much and taught me so much as well. the last time i had spoke to kevin was when my daughter was born on august 23, and i will never forget what he told me he said ” Your gonna be a great dad…. Its a shame your a pile” and his next words were “i love you bro!” im really going to miss him, but i will always remember the great times i spent with him. my prayers are with you kelly family.
Daniel and Tilly Pocha says
Keith, we are so sorry for the loss of your son. Our hearts go out to you and your family & Kevin family. The Kelly’s families are in our thoughts and prayers. Daniel and Tilly
Dave and Karen Lewis says
What a tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Don Verzani says
Kelly family,
Sorry for your loss. My memories of Kevin were from the first half of his life during all my time spent at your house. I will always remember his energy and fun nature.
with sympathy,
don verzani
Donna Morrison says
To the Kelly’s…my heart goes out to all of you who have lost a wonderful son and brother..my memories of him will remain in my heart especially the first time I saw him and Jessica inneract..how she was Daddy’s Little Girl…he loved her so. Kevin was a kind and loving man who was taken much too soon. I have said many prayers for you that you will find strength and comfort in the days to come. I am so sorry for your loss…I know he was a good man. Celebrate life…seize the day! Sincerely, Donna Morrison, Argenta, Montana
Eleanor & Ken Bossert & Pearl Ostrum says
Our prayers go out to all in your family at this time. God be with you and give you strength.
Emily Melton & Bert Wakeley says
Norma and Keith, our hearts go out to you. Emily & Bert
Erin Scofield-Stacey says
Crystal, I am so very sorry for your loss. One so young should not have to face such a loss. My prayers go out to you and your family durring this time. I know it has been a while but us Argenta girls are there for each other.
Forrest Anderson says
Kelly Family,
I am deeply sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. I looked forward to visiting with Kevin again and meeting his family. I will always remember Kevin as a kind and cheerful friend. My deepest sympathies for the loss of this good-hearted father, husband, son, brother and friend.
Jackie Williams says
Keith and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Jane Berger says
Commissioner Kelly and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I have a brother who is just a few months younger than Kevin was and I can’t imagine losing him yet. May God give you peace in this very difficult time.
Jason Edmonds says
I will never forget the good times we had back in Arizona. So many memories are being stirred up now. So many happy memories. You were a good friend and I will miss you.
May God rest your soul,
Aloha old friend…
Joe Strelnik says
Keith & Norma,
I am so sorry about the loss of Kevin. My prayers & thoughts are with you both & your family. Joe
John and Marcia Allen says
We are so sorry and sad to hear of your loss of Kevin. I know you pain is unbearable and please know that we will be thinking of you everyday.
John and Marcia Allen
Joyce Andrus says
Deepest sympathy ~ you are in my thoughts & prayers. Take Care and God Bless You
Judi Walsh McGovern says
Norma Jean and Keith:
So sorry to hear of the loss of your son. My heart goes out to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I can relate to what you are going through having lost two of my children Talk about Kevin often, remember the good times and cry a lot. The hole in your heart never heals, but it does get bearable with time.
Kevin says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. So very sorry about you loss.
Laura Gardner says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the family!
Marci Lynn says
Keith and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your terrific loss. May the Lord comfort you all during this very difficult time.
Michael Woodall and Robin Maynard says
My son, Michael, met Kevin about 5 years ago when they both worked for “Appleton Furniture” building furniture. They have been good friends ever since. Kevin would stop by Mike’s house frequently to visit (or to talk Mike into an adventure). I’ll never forget the “Monster Truck-Demolition Derby-Rally they staged at Kevin’s house down the road from where I live. Now, THAT was an adventure! Kevin even bought pizza for the lucky ‘spectators’! What I remember most about Kevin, besides that famous ‘infectious smile’ (he sort of reminded me of a leprechaun, fun loving and mischievious), was his amazing ability to make guitars. He brought one to show Michael one evening several months ago and played it for us. Absolutely astounding! The sound was really mellow and magnificent! We will miss Kevin greatly.
Mike and Amy Sullivan says
Dear Kelly Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Kevin. Your loss is great but your friends are many. Know we are here for you, sending loads of love and strength your way.
The Sullivans
Neil and Alisa Maltby says
Dearest Kelly Family,
We are so grateful to you for bringing such a wonderful man into this world. Kevin was someone who had open arms to everyone and anyone who was honored to meet him became a friend for life. I’m so grateful for the time I had in Montana with him and experiencing what a true 4th of July is. He was a wonderful friend and an even better father to Jessica. He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. Our deepest condolences. Until we meet again old friend.
Ranel Smith says
Crystal –
I was so sad to hear about the loss of your husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep in touch.
Ranel
Richard McPherson says
On behalf of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission family; May God comfort and keep your family during this time of bereavement. “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”
1 John 2:25
Rick and Kim Miske says
Keith and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your tragic loss. May God give you strength and comfort you with love and peace. We will keep Kevin and you all in our prayers.
Roberta Diegel says
I was so sorry to hear about Kevin’s tragic accident. My thoughts and prayers are with your family
Rosella Gallegosm says
So Sorry to hear about Kevin. We all know how hard it is when they are so young. Rosella (Rice Gallegos.
Sal & Crystal Priorello says
Kelly family,
Words cannot express my sorrow at this time. Your family came into my life twenty years ago (it’s hard to believe it has been twenty years) and just like that, the bond we shared was unbreakable. Sure, life gets in the way and we grow apart for a while. However, that separation becomes one of distance only. This last year I was blessed to reconnect with all of you. We picked up as if we hadn’t skipped a beat. That is a sign of true love & friendship. I have so many memories of days long ago, as well as recent memories of catching up just a few months back. As long as I can remember, Kevin has always been such a genuine person, always willing to help out at any cost. I remember how happy he was this last trip out to AZ to get to show us all his latest creations, his beautiful “Kelly Kustoms” Hand Made Guitars. He was so proud of his beautiful craftsmanship. Kevin has a gift for working with his hands. He could fix or build anything. That evening, there was only one other thing that made him glow even brighter. As he talked about his daughter Jessica, he completely lit up. Kevin shared pictures & stories with us. The glow & smile on his face was beautiful. I could see in his eyes, how deeply in love he was with his daughter. It was a thing of true beauty. As handy as Kevin is, his greatest creation was not sculpted with his hands, but with his heart. It is comforting to know that until we meet again in God’s Awesome Kingdom of Heaven, there is a part of Kevin in his daughter with us here on earth. I pray that in time you all find comfort in knowing that we all will be reunited one day in The Kingdom of Heaven, for eternity. In the grand scheme of things, life here on earth is short lived & oh so precious. However, I have complete faith that we are here to praise the Lord & prepare for our eternal lives in God’s Kingdom. Until we meet again Kevin, watch over us & pray for us. Love ya buddy.
May the peace of the Lord fill all of our hearts.
All our Love,
Sal & Crystal Priorello
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
JOHN 3:16-17
Sheri Bunker says
I am so sorry for the loss of Kevin. We worked at the same state department and spoke every day. He was a very kind and thoughtful person and he had a very deep love for his daughter. You are all in my prayers and God bless you.
Sherri Staats says
To All Of The Kelly Family:
No words can truly convey the feelings of one’s heart. Although, I never personally knew Kevin, I have had the pleasure of working with Keith through the State and working with Kevin’s lovely wife as well. I am sure Kevin was a wonderful son, husband, friend and father. He will be loved and missed by many. His memory will live in your hearts forever. May our Blessed Mother wrap you in her love and give you comfort and peace. God Bless You.