Kevin D. Kelley
Kevin Daryl Kelley, age 68, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, November 4, 2024 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. The Funeral Service will begin at 10:30 am on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 also at the funeral home.
Kevin Daryl Kelley was born on June 11, 1956 to Daryl and LaVonne Kelley. Kevin was an active child who enjoyed all kinds of sports, his dirt bike and friends. He attended Washington High School, participating in football and was a skate boy at Valli High Skating Rink. Being a talented salesman Kevin would say his greatest sale was convincing the love of his life, Lori Jean Estes, to marry him. They joined in marriage on January 10, 1981 and celebrated over 40 years of marriage before Lori passed away.
Kevin was a lifetime entrepreneur who engaged in a variety of businesses, including: drywall, cable tv, novelty retail, used furniture, flea market and a bar. When he wasn’t busy managing his many businesses, he was managing his growing family. Kevin welcomed the birth of his first son, Nicholas in 1978 and then adopted Lori’s first son, Jesse in 1981. 1982 brought the birth of his son Boe and 1984 his daughter Misty. In addition to being a caring father, Kevin coached his children’s athletics, taught his children about automobiles, hunting and motorcycle enthusiasm. Speaking of being a motorcycle enthusiast, Kevin owned and operated many Harley-Davidsons over his life. Winning the Harley giveaway at Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse an astonishing two times. Both Kevin and Lori rode their Harleys all over South Dakota. From the Black Hills to Sturgis Bike Rally to Deadwood to dozens upon dozens of poker runs.
In addition to his many talents a hidden one was his love of music. Kevin was an accomplished guitarist. He didn’t share this talent with many but those who have heard him play talk about this experience often. One of his proudest moments was reuniting a signed guitar he purchased at an estate sale with one of the original band members. Kevin recognized some of the names on the guitar from a band that played in his area during his younger years that he took it upon himself to locate a member of that band in Phoenix, Arizona and returned it to him.
He loved spending time with his grandchildren, often attending their sporting events and theater performances. In their younger years he and Lori babysat Ryan, Kendal and Sienna. In recent years he enjoyed teaching Ryan how to play guitar. He loved spending time with his granddaughters doing anything they wanted as Kendal was papa’s girl. Kevin also adored his dog and best friend Gigi.
Kevin will be remembered for his loving gentle soul, quick wit, sarcastic sense of humor and a love for his family, motorcycles and the Minnesota Vikings.
Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Jesse (Samantha) Ronning of Phoenix, AZ, Nicholas (Alicyn) Kelley of Garner, NC, Boe (Crystal) Kelley of Harrisburg, SD, and Misty (Antonio) Hill of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Noah, Addison, Kennedy, and Kate Ronning, Aodhan Walker Smith, Holland and Grace Smith, Ryan and Kendal Johnson, and Sienna Kelley; his beloved dog, Gigi; sisters, Jody Kelley of Torrance, CA and Hayla Love Fitzgerald of Medford, OR; and many dear relatives and friends.
Kevin was preceded in death by his wife, Lori (Estes) Kelley; parents, Daryl and LaVonne (Burhenn) Kelley; and brother, Todd Kelley.