Dylan Kernen

Lifetime Craig resident, Dylan Wayne Kernen, passed away as a result of a car accident near Meeker, Colorado, on Sunday, September 22, 2024. He was 23 years young. A memorial service honoring Dylan’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Craig. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Taylor Street Hostel, 403 Taylor Street in Craig.

Dylan Wayne Kernen was born the son of Kevin James Kernen and Melissa Ann (Taylor) Sanders on December 8, 2000, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Dylan spent his entire life in Craig. In his younger years he loved wrestling, spending time fishing and being out at the family ranch with his great grandparents Clarence and Dona Taylor. He attended Moffat County High School for a couple years, where he excelled in theatre due to his love of entertaining. Dylan was proud to graduate with his lifelong friends in 2019.

Following high school, Dylan starting working at Northwest Auto Glass, because he loved working with cars. He later accepted a job at Hill Petroleum as a warehouse manager. It was during this job that Dylan found his calling to work with machinery. His favorite job was working for Nordic Excavating in Steamboat as a laborer and heavy equipment operator. He loved his Nordic family.

In August of 2020, Dylan married Tehya Johnson in Steamboat. The couple welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Laila Mae, in July of 2021. Dylan was a devoted father who loved and adored his baby girl. She was his world. He was a wonderful dad and the two of them were truly inseparable. Although their marriage ended, Dylan and Tehya remained friends and wonderful co-parents for their daughter.

Dylan met Rachel Witt in May 2024. Although they knew each other in high school, their love blossomed after reacquainting in Grand Junction where Rachel attends CMU. Dylan had made plans and got accepted to attend CMU Tech next year for their Lineman Program.

In his spare time, Dylan enjoyed spending time outdoors whether he was hunting, fishing or camping. You would often catch Dylan working on his truck, getting a new tattoo, or gaming with his friends. He loved going for a drive and listening to music. Everyone who knew Dylan, truly knew he was the life of the party! His greatest passion in life was making people laugh, especially belly laughs! He had a contagious smile and the charismatic charm that could brighten anyone’s day. Above all, Dylan loved being with family and going on family trips and he cherished spending time with those he loved. Dylan will be greatly missed by those who had the privilege to love and know him.

Dylan is survived by his parents, Kevin Kernen of Craig and Melissa (Ben) Sanders of Grand Junction ; his daughter, Laila Mae Kernen; brother, Luke Kernen of Cheyenne, WY; step-brother, Ethan Schaff of Craig; grandparents: Mike & Carol Taylor and Steve & Leta Kernen all of Craig; great-grandmothers, Judith Orton and Inice Kernen both of Craig; one uncle, Eric (Sylvia Collins) Taylor of Craig; and one aunt, Carissa (Cory Ford) Taylor of Aurora; Cousins Gavin (Isabelle) Taylor, Isley Taylor, Liam Ford, Izzac Stehle and his Girlfriend Rachel Witt of Craig. Dylan is further survived by numerous cousins in Colorado and Texas, in addition to a large circle of friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made in Dylan’s memory to Laila Kernen’s fund at Yampa Valley Bank in Craig to support his daughter.