My Dad, Keith Kelly

Today is October 10th and it is the 41st anniversary of my dad's death. I was barely 18 years old when he passed away and that was the first "big trial" I ever had in my life to deal with. I was the last one in the family to see or talk with him as he dropped me off at the U of U that morning for my classes and then he proceeded to go downtown to get a haircut on Main Street. He collapsed suddenly down on the street and died of a blood clot to his lung.

That was such a shock to our family...so very unexpected. He was only 48 years old. My mom was very brave at the time but it was a real blow to our family. Dad had been transferred to San Francisco, and we were preparing to make the move. I was going to transfer to San Jose State to continue my education.

I miss my dad so much. He and I were so very close. Dad wasn't a tall man - 5'8" - and he had small feet, gray hair (which he'd had for years) and he was my hero! I vividly recall going to many Salt Lake Bees baseball games with him, and the countless hours he spent playing tether ball with me on the playground of Uintah Elementary, which was next to our home. He took me and my brother Colin on a river trip down the Colorado River for a week and I learned to appreciate the beauties of southern Utah because of him.

My dad was a huge teaser and I was the main recipient of this. I can still hear my mother saying "Keith, leave her alone!" I have a grandson, Brenden Keith, who seems to be a clone of his great-grandpa in this regard, and very properly named, I might add.

Dad loved his family and turned down a large pay increase and transfer to Omaha, Nebraska because, after visiting the city, decided he didn't want to raise his kids there. He was a religious man and was well beloved by the young men in the ward as he served as our ward's basketball coach and softball assistant coach for many years. A "Keith L. Kelly Memorial Award" was given out for years in Bonneville Stake to honor an outstanding young player.

Dad treated my mom like a queen - they held hands and he opened doors for her as long as I can remember. They were quite young at heart and were invited to the ward "Young Married" events, even when they had a son on a mission! Dad had a beautiful tenor voice and sang with the Salt Lake Barbershop Chorus for years.

My dad would have been excited when we moved to Clifton to our dairy farm as dad grew up in Lynddyl, Utah on a farm. He would have loved it up here!

Dad's time on earth was way too short and I have always felt cheated that I didn't have him longer, but I know I will see him again. I just hope I have made him proud! I LOVE YOU, DAD!!!!! You were the best dad in the world!