Richard Ray Kelley

RICHARD R. KELLEY  1950 – 2023

Richard “Rich” Ray Kelley was born in Salina, Kansas to Raymond and Lorna Kelley in February, 1950.  Growing up in Salina, Rich played little league baseball, delivered newspapers for the Salina Journal, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Rich graduated from Salina High School in 1968, and then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 1975.  After graduating, Rich relocated to Colorado.  Rich spent the better part of his career in Denver working as an accountant in various industries.  Along the way he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Metropolitan State University, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Colorado. 

Rich married his wife Barbara, in 1991.  Her twin daughters, Lindsey and Lesley, completed their ready-made family.

Rich enjoyed many outdoor adventures but his passion was mountain climbing.  He summited all of Colorado’s fifty-eight “Fourteeners,” as well as many of the two hundred highest mountains in Colorado. 

Rich retired from Ball Corporation in 2009, after working at the Golden Plant and Corporate Headquarters a total of thirteen years.  After retirement, Rich volunteered for several years at the Broomfield Public Library and the Birds of Prey Colorado Foundation.

Rich passed away on August 7, 2023.  He is survived by: wife Barbara, daughter Lindsey Addy (Eric), daughter Lesley Bach (Travis), and four grandchildren; Leevi, Kylie, Brock and Kaden.  He is also survived by his sister Rayna (Joe) Jackson; Barbara’s brothers and their wives; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Tabor Funeral Home, 75 S. 13th Avenue, Brighton Colorado.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider donating in Rich’s name to: Galapagos Conservancy (www.galapagos.org) or Grand Canyon Conservancy (www.grandcanyon.org).

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