Kelly "Kel" Ray Shively (Son Of Judy & (The Late) Rowe Shively

Kelly Ray Shively was born on January 3, 1974, in Wray, Colorado to Rowe and Judy Shively. He was the youngest of four children. He grew up on the family farm, first at the ranch near Beecher Island, then on the farm near Idalia, Colorado. He attended school at Idalia and graduated in 1992. Kelly attended C.U. in Boulder where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, graduating in December 1996. He then went on to earn his Master of Physical Therapy degree at Nova Southeastern University in Davies, Florida, graduating in July 2001.

Kelly was a man who loved life. He had an avid curiosity from early childhood on, and a tender heart for those around him. In school, he was involved in everything he could be in a small community. He was active in 4-H and went on many bug hunts with his buddy and side kick, Greg Allen. The two could often be found with helmets on and heads down tearing down the road on motor scooters. He loved sports and was involved in baseball, basketball, football and track in high school.

Besides his work as physical therapist, Kelly was an avid outdoorsman. He loved being out in nature – hiking, skiing, fishing, running marathons, biking and swimming. He joined the rowing team while at C.U. and loved that. He traveled to many different states to regatas, pulling their boats in a trailer his dad made for the team. He made many life-long friends there.

Kelly worked as a physical therapist in a few different locations including Colorado, California, and Oregon, and spent a time travelling with his job. He then settled, finally, in Seattle, Washington. Kelly always loved the water, and his home in Seattle sits on the hillside overlooking Puget Sound. He was a driven professional and loved his job, but also made time to travel extensively and see as much as he could of what was out there. Kelly had a heart for those in need, a passion to quietly serve, and the energy to us whatever he had to make life a little happier for as many people as he could.

Kelly was a very private person, often quiet and reserved, but very aware of all that was going on around him. He was a perfectionist, and anything he did, he did well. He inherited some of his Grandpa Charlie’s wit and sense of humor. From the very beginning he wanted to know what was going on around the corner. He battled some health issues most of his life, but he was an overcomer, never letting it slow him down.

Kelly had many passions in life, one of which was coffee. We would laugh whenever Kelly would come home with coffee beans and grinder and show us how to make some “good coffee.” Baking and cooking were also passions of his. He enjoyed making artisan breads and cookies. He loved to create in the kitchen, and then share with his friends. At Christmas-time he would bake Christmas cookies, package them up, go to homes of friends and leave them a gift on their doorstep.

He had an appreciation for all kinds of music. Many people may not even know he played the piano.

In recent years, he developed a common interest with his dad in things made of wood. They had conversations about what they could make for Kelly with tree stumps from the meadow at the ranch.

Mark Twain quoted, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Kelly grew up attending the Beecher Island Church. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at a young age and had a tender heart for God. He was baptized at Beecher Island in 1982. Kelly went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at the age of 43 years, 6 months, 30 days. He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Rowe Shively.

He is survived by his mother, Judy (Whomble) Shively of Idalia; his brother, Kevin Shively & wife, Becky of Beecher Island; sisters; Kim Bowman and husband, Mark of Denver; and Keri Kennedy & husband, James of Huntsville, Alabama; nephews, Todd Shively & wife, Terri of Beecher Island; Zach Bowman of Ft. Collins, CO; Austin Bowman of Denver, CO; Justin Kennedy of Huntsville, Alabama; and Zane Bowman of Denver, CO; nieces; Jessie Bond & husband, Tyler and children; Devin, Caelie and Talia of Windsor; Randi Shively of Ft. Collins; Jamie Clayville & husband, Chris of Fairhope, Alabama; and Jessie Bowman of Denver, CO; plus a host of extended relatives and friends. He was much loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Memorial services were held Friday, August 11, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at the Beecher Island Sunday School in Beecher Island with Pastor Russell Young officiating. Memorials may be made to Compassion International, 12290 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. Cremation was requested. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.