Harvey LaVerne Kelley son of Earl and Chrystal Kelley was born on March 6, 1940 in Eads, Colorado and departed this life on June 15, 2009 in Colorado Springs at the age of 69 years.


He was the fourth of six children growing up on the family farm in the Prairie Queen community. He became very active in supporting school activities as well as participating all four yeas in sports, lettering in basketball, football, baseball and track and graduated from Eads High School in 1958. He went to Adams State College in Alamosa, for one year. He then joined the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey traveling mostly along the western coastline. During this time, he met and married Sandi and together raised three (3) children, Donnie, Lori and Jeff. Before starting his farming and ranching career northwest of Eads, he worked on construction and helped build the addition to the hospital and the new high school.


Harvey was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and neighbor to everyone he met and who knew him. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and attending the many sporting and school events they were involved in.


Harvey was a very active and vital member of the Eads community where he enjoyed serving for 24 years on the Kiowa County Farm Service Agency; he also served on the Eastern Slope Rural Telephone Association, Inc. for the past 17 years; in 2001 Harvey received the Award of Excellence from me M W. Grand Lodge of Colorado, A.F. & A.M.; between the years 1971 and 1983 Harvey and Sandi missed only two sporting events and were recognized as Sports Boosters of the Year; in 2006 Harvey and Sandi were selected as Citizens of the Year for their on-going community service which included the annual Christmas decorating of the City Park.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Chrystal; brother, Earl W. Kelley (Junior); niece, Marilyn Kay Ebright; brother-in-law, John Harold Ebright; great niece, Chrystal Rawlinson.


Harvey is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sandi Kelley; his children and their families, Donnie and wife Kathy Kelley of Lamar; Lori and husband Cory Phillips of Westminster; Jeffrey and wife Michelle Kelley of Wray. Harvey is also survived by his sister-in-law, LaVerle Kelley of Eads; brother, Donald Wayne and wife Judy Kelley of Rocky Ford; sister, Verna Ebright of Eads; sister, Nadine and husband Ron Bickel of Keller. Texas; and sister, Phyllis and husband Darrell (Pete) Koch of Eads; his beloved 9 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; other relatives, including nieces and nephews, and his many friends.


Prior to services the family gathered for the family dinner prepared and served by the ladies of the United Methodist Church.


Funeral services for Harvey Kelley were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 19, 2009 at the Eads United Methodist Church with Rev. Ian Blacker officiating. Musical selections were: Amazing Grace, I Can Only Imagine and There Will Be A Day.

Soloists were Sylvia Weeks and Mary Eikner accompanied by Charlotte Woelk as pianist and Betty Crow as organist. Serving as casket bearers were grandsons, Matthew Conley, Alexi Kelley, Seth Kelley, Taylor Kelley, Jared Kelley, and Cody Jones. Concluding services were held at the Eads Cemetery.


At the conclusion of the services, the family gathered at the United Methodist Church for a time of fellowship.


Memorial contributions may be made to the Eads School Alumni Association, Box 181, Eads, CO 81036.


Friends and family can register online condolences and sign the guest book at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Eads, Colorado.