Ian Thomas Kelley

Ian Thomas Kelley, 42 long-time resident of the Grand Valley, passed away in Fruita, Colorado from complications while being treated for Leukemia.

Funeral services are scheduled at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel, 2515 Patterson Rd, Grand Junction, on Thursday, October 8 at 11 am followed by graveside services at Orchard Mesa Cemetery, 2620 Legacy Way, Grand Junction.

A Celebration of Life will be hosted by the owners and staff at the Wine Country Inn, 777 Grande River Dr., Palisade at 3 pm.

A devoted husband, father, son and friend, Ian was best known for his integrity, optimism, fairness, loyalty, sense of humor, infectious laugh and joyful approach to life.

Born on June 28, 1984 to Thomas and Cathryn Kelley in Steamboat Springs, CO, where he grew up, Ian received his diploma from Hayden High School in 2002 and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at Mesa State University in 2010.

While at MSU he began a 19 year employment history with the owners of Quality Inn hotel in 2007, working part time as a night auditor, then as an accountant and front desk agent after graduation.

In June 2014, Ian's work ethic and loyalty was rewarded by being promoted to General Manager of Wine Country Inn, and later as Comptroller of all business operations by the owners, who credit much of the success of those properties to his management skills and professionalism.

Ian's work at the Wine Country Inn often made the local new. He championed a major investment in EV charging stations and helped host the annual Edesia Food and Wine Extravaganza to benefit Prime Health Plus (formerly Marillac Clinic) care for uninsured and underinsured patients in Mesa County.

He also served on the Town of Palisade's Tourism Commission. Local media often turned to him as the voice of Palisade lodging. Even in slow years, he stayed optimistic, always predicting a strong rebound.

An active and avid outdoorsman, Ian enjoyed exploring the outdoors with his family and hiking, camping, fishing and dirt biking, and snowmobiling with his fiends in nearby mountains.

Beloved by his family, friends, work family, business and civic colleagues, Ian positively impacted the lives of all who knew him, He is survived by his wife Sarah, his children, Adelyn and Thomas; his parents, Thomas and Cathryn Kelley, Fruita, CO; sister, Megan Wotring, Chicago, IL; in-laws Bill and Sandi Billings, Lone Tree, CO; extended family located across the U.S, and a large circle of mostly Colorado friends,

The family requests "In honor of Ian, please skip the black and wear something that reflects his spirits, personality and love of life."

In lieu of flowers, the family askes that memorial contributions be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to Prime Healthy Plus (formerly Marillac Clinic), causes that were close to Ian's heart.