Michael Verlan Kelley

Michael (Mike) Verlin Kelley was born to Verlin Kelley and Catherine (Goebal) Kelley March 20th, 1953, in Thornton, CO. He married JoAnn (Renner) Call on March 20th, 2015. Mike attended Greeley Central High School and had a long career as a truck driver both long haul and locally.

As an avid music fan, Mike attended many concerts in his youth. He enjoyed relaxing to tunes from the 60's and 70's and old blues. Some of his favorites included Stevie Ray Vaughn, Muddy Waters and The Allman Brothers Band. He would often serenade his wife, Jo Ann, occasionally making up his own lyrics to various tunes or just singing along to whatever was currently playing.

Mike's favorite hobbies included show cars, model airplanes and motorcycles. He enjoyed spending time with his Step-grandson cleaning up muscle cars and participating in local car shows. He combined his love of history and model airplane building by putting together kits of military planes from World War II to modern aviation models. Mike started riding motorcycles in high school. He would eventually become a Harley Davidson enthusiast owning several throughout his adulthood. One of his greatest passions was riding his motorcycle in the early morning hours of Spring and in the Fall he would roar along mountainous roads just to witness the explosions of autumn colors and the falling leaves. Mike loved anything with engines.

As an active member of the VFW Post 2121 Auxiliary, Mike volunteered in events including motorcycle runs and participating in Memorial Day services. He would often be seen sitting around laughing with older veterans, quietly listening to their stories or engaging them in meaningful banter. As a compassionate man who often used humor to draw people out, Mike often helped others resolve some of their stress with laughs. Always willing to lend a listening ear, he genuinely cared about people by being understanding and attentive. His overall approach to life was to see others calm and at peace.

Mike is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of Greeley, and his sister Judy (Jack) Reed of Springfield, Mo. Step-Children and step-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, and his former wife Shirley Magdelano Kelley.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 20th, 2026, at Allnutt Funeral Service, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80634.