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| Beloved Son, Brother and Uncle |
Steven R. Kelly, graduated to his Heavenly home on Thursday, August 4th, 2016. Born on March 13, 1964. The first born son to Richard and Donna. Steve was 52 years young and an alumni of Oregon City High School. He will leave us with a lifetime of memories to cherish.
Steve was my Brother-in-Law. I have known him for a little more than 25 years. At the tender age of 13, he was diagnosed with FSH/Muscular Dystrophy. Never once in all those years, did I ever hear him complain about the hand he was dealt in life.
For those of you who ask "How did he die?" I really want to answer, How he lived. You see, he did not loose his earthly battle. He won by living. And this is how he did...
He lived through technology. This love of his earned him the title of our family "IT" guy. The advances in technology over the years provided him with an unmatchable freedom. Google Earth, E-bay, DISH and Amazon prime were but a few of his favorites. If there was something out there that would make life easier for anyone around him, he would find it. You would be hard pressed to find a more thoughtful man.
He lived through his love of adventurous cuisine. Indian food was his all time favorite. The hotter and spicier, the better. He passed on his love for chili and rice to our family and quite honestly, it is a sin for me to ever be out of either.
He lived through HAM radio. He wasn't JUST your typical HAM... Steve's call sign was K7eM. A Ham operator has six call letters. A better operator, five. If you have four, you are THE best and that, he was. Even in all of his genius, Steve was so humble.
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| One of Steve's radio antenna. |
He lived through his Brother & Sister. Ever challenging, ever encouraging, just by doing what he did best. He listened, he shared, he was not just a brother but a dearly loved friend. He was kind.
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| Steve will forever be the BIG brother. L-R: Don, Steve & Sheryl |
Ketchup, yes. Tomatoes, No.
He lived through his care of his tropical fish. A thing of beauty to behold and the most pristine tank I have ever seen. He kept an impeccable cleaning schedule and could tell you all about it. I am personally going to miss his smarts on so many levels.
He lived through the memories of times at our 100 year old family Cabin and Gold mining claims in The Siskiyou National forest/Southern Oregon. A Summer tradition for over 50 years, he always enjoyed seeing the pictures of his nieces and nephews in the same Creek he had youthful memories of. We often joked that we spend our free time digging for pavement. (Heaven=Streets of Gold, get it?)
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| It's true, there really is a Sucker Creek! Steve (top) and my husband, Don (base). By the way, the drop down to the creek on the other side of the guard rail is only about 20' down. Oy! |
The hole in our hearts seems pretty big right now. Things are still raw for us and we are a bit messy. The process of finding our new normal won't be easy. We find comfort in knowing that Steve is no longer dependent on his wheel chair and his body is whole and in perfect working order. We are pretty sure he is busy running around and greeting all of our friends and loved ones who have gone before us. Because HE lived, we LIVE! #Yes to Life!
Run-In-Peace, Steve!
With all our Love, Always.
