Ira Edward Kelley

Ira Edward Kelley, 67, passed away Friday, July 19, 2024, peacefully at his home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, surrounded by those who loved him. Ira retired at exactly 8:00 a.m., which is so much like him—always punctual, on the dot! It was also the day Biden resigned as President and the day of the dreaded blue screens. Being a history buff, it figures that Ira would have his homegoing on a historically eventful day.

Ira was not afraid to pass because he was a believer. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Ira expressed that he was ready to change citizenship, although he was not ready to leave his loved ones. Many called, texted, and came to see him, and that eased his passing as it was a peaceful homegoing.

Ira was born the middle child of Edward and Lulubel Kelley in Covina, California, on August 4, 1956. He grew up in Hemet, California, and enlisted in the army after graduation. After separation from the army, he went to a technical college, where he began his career in telecommunications and moved into the electrical industry, from apprentice to master electrician to project manager to project executive. He thrived on commercial, industrial, and government projects and enjoyed control work (e.g., automated building systems). He frequently expressed appreciation for those who helped mentor him along the way. He built teams to accomplish success for everyone. His career also enabled him to travel extensively throughout the States and internationally.

Ira has lived in Kansas, Iowa, California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. He enjoyed family, long-term friends, fly fishing, archery, hunting, golfing, road trips, reloading ammo, and gunsmithing. He also found himself in music. One can always find a guitar, and B.B. King, Eric Clapton, the Dobbie Brothers, Led Zeplin, or any of the great blues/rock-n-roll classics playing in the background.

Ira is survived by his loving wife, Rose Kelley; his sons Joshua Rogers and his wife Brandy, Edward Rogers, and Brian Riggs; his three grandchildren, Haley, Stetson, and Makinzie; his brother Delbert Kelley and his wife Dinnah; and several nieces, great-nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lulubel Kelley, and his sister, Clara Grabner. 

Ira is greatly missed, never far from our hearts and minds, and dancing his way around heaven socializing with lost loved ones!