Richard Allen Kelley

Richard “Rick” Allen Kelley, Jr.

September 16, 1954 – March 20, 2013

Rick Kelley passed away on March 20, 2013 at the age of 58 after a long, hard battle with colon cancer.

He died in peace at his ranch in Yelm, Washington. The day of his passing was also his 37th wedding anniversary.

Rick is survived by his wife, Laura Kelley, his mother Jean Kelley, siblings Mike (Debi) Kelley, Paul Kelley, and Teresa (John) Polk. He also leaves behind Laura’s parents Joyce and Bill Carlson and her siblings John (Suanne) Carlson, and Bill. His family also included a number of nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was very close to all of his family.

Rick was born in San Diego to Richard Allen Kelley Sr. and H. Jean (Cooke) Kelley. He spent the majority of his childhood years in Houston, Texas, where he graduated from South Houston High School in 1972. He went into the US Army shortly after high school, then in 1975 he finally joined the family who had moved to Issaquah, Washington. He and Laura Jean Carlson were married in 1976. Rick attended University of Washington and earned a BS degree, and in 1980 went to work for Boeing as a Software Engineer. He worked on the AWACS program and became an Associate Technical Fellow in 2001- a very significant recognition of his technical expertise.

Raising cattle for the meat was a recent hobby of Rick’s. He enjoyed working on their farm as well as hiking with friends and hiking with his dog Dillon. He loved reading and he loved the huge gatherings with family and friends. He was so smart, interesting, funny and giving.

A Celebration of Rick’s life will be held on July 20, 2013 at the Kelley Park Ranch at 2pm, where Rick requested a keg of beer to be served…