Paul L. Kelley

Paul Lewis Kelley, born July 21, 1931 in Basin, Wyoming, graduated from Powell High School in 1949. Married Zoe Joyce Winkelman in 1951 and to this union was born four children, Julie 1953, Mark 1954, Susan 1958, and Amy 1962. Paul joined the Army Reserves from 1952 to 1954, moved to Colorado in 1954 and Paul started working for the Denver Water Board as a Concrete Engineer. In 1956 Paul co-founded the Denver Water Department's Materials Laboratory to perform concrete quality control on the Dillon Dam, Roberts Tunnel, Williams Fork Dam Renovation, Vasquez and Jones Pass Tunnels. Paul retired from the Denver Water Board on October 9, 1995. In 1962 Paul was instrumental in forming the Thornton Jr. Football League. During this time he coached The Lions for 20 years. He golfed everyday he could, with weather permitting, bowled every Thursday evening with the same group of friends forever. Paul was preceded in death by his Father Earl Kelley & his mother Agnes Wheeler Sallee Kelley. He is survived by two brothers, Kenneth Kelley (Grace) and Mike Kelley (Joyce) and numerous nephews and nieces. Immediate family survivors are his four children Julie Babish, Mark Kelley, Susan Behrens, and Amy Vance (Kirk), and their mother Zoe Kelley, 10 grandchildren: Bryan Babish, Brandon Babish, Brett Babish, Travis Kelley, Tyler Vance (Lyra), Tiffany Vance (Amanda), Shannon Behrens (Michael), Shelby Schultz (Austin), Cody Behrens, & Conor Behrens; 7 great grandchildren: Ara, Kayla, Destiny, Leo, Travis' son, Michael Jr., & Scarlett. ""What we have once enjoyed we can never lose, all that we love deeply becomes a part of us."" –Hellen Keller He is survived by his wife Elsie Kelley. Paul and Elsie Fischer Sklasky met and married on October 27, 1985. They had 30 wonderful years together, enjoyed music, trips, & going to the cabin in Leadville, Colorado. Paul would whistle while he worked, sharing his knowledge of the outdoors with grandchildren & whoever was around. For the last 11 years, our dog, Yogi, was his constant sidekick. Paul was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor who enjoyed bowling with special needs people; always a mentor. Paul leaves his wife Elsie, her daughters Kim Gates, Sherry (Bill) Deuschle, four grandchildren: Ryan, Daniel, Bret, & Chase Deuschle. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 1:00PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 9998 Grant Street, Thornton, Colorado. You are invited to a reception in honor of Paul L. Kelley in the reception center immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Paul's honor to Exempla Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Please share your memories of Paul and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.