Keith Michael Kelley

On April 25, 1954 in Enid, Oklahoma Keith Michael Kelley was born and placed in the waiting arms of his petite mother, Shirley Fuller Kelley. Moments later his womb-mate Patrick Frank Kelley joined him in life. After a short two months, Shirley and her boys boarded a plane headed to Germany to meet and live with their father, Keith Kelley, who was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. As he got older, he spent summers learning the family business with his grandfather, W. Frank Fuller, on the family farms near Enid, Oklahoma. As he got older he rode Harley Davidson motorcycles, spent many days at the lake water skiing and even certified for scuba diving at the Big Hole in NM. He loved being in the ocean, and planned his travels to snorkel and dive in warm tropical waters. He spent his last days enjoying a new found hobby of ice fishing, surrounded by great friends and family.

Mike lived a full, multi-faceted life. Known for his sharp mind, witty humor and transparent approach, he navigated a successful life of business ownership and public service. Mike went to CU Boulder to study in Architecture and used his gift to design and build countless custom homes and structures over the years. As a general contractor, he carefully crafted the houses that so many now call home while finding the time to share his knowledge as a member of the Elbert County Planning Commission.

In addition to a full time focus on his construction business, he served a long career as a Deputy Sherriff with Arapahoe County Sherriff’s Department. He continued to serve the public through Elbert County Posse and volunteered with Cowboy Up in Kiowa.

Despite a life that surely outweighed his 24 hours a day, he always made time for his passions. Mike was an avid hunter, spending every season in the San Luis Valley with his dear friends hunting elk and making time for deer and antelope hunting on the side. His life-long love of Black German Shepherds started with a dog named Maggie. Several years and black Shepherds later, he is survived by his best friend, Kelly, now in the care of his family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Keith Kelley, and twin brother Patrick Kelley. He is survived by his beautiful mother, Shirley Fuller Kelley and three daughters, Shannon, Erin and Maegan, whom he would feed cake and ice cream for breakfast given the chance. His final weeks were filled with talk of devoting time to his beloved grandchildren; Lili, Eva, Charlee, Will, Sammy and Luca.

Mike will live on forever in the homes he built and hearts of many. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Keith Michael Kelley through a donation to St. Anthony Health Foundation Neurosciences Center. We would like to give back to the program that gave us an additional nine years with our father. Gifts may be accepted at www.StAnthonyHealthFoundation.org or checks may be mailed and made payable to, St. Anthony Health Foundation, 11600 W. 2nd Place, Lakewood CO 80228