Samuel Wallace Kelly

Graveside services will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado. Services will follow at 1 p.m. at the Grand Junction Colorado West Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2542 G Road.

He was a dentist.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; two sons, Stephen S. of Grand Junction and Thomas S. of Salem, Oregon; three daughters, Kathryn K. Jensen of Tualatin, Oregon, Victoria K. Hodgman of Los Gatos, California, and Camille K. Swenson of Grand Junction; one brother, John Carl Kelly of Grand Junction; 19 grandchildren; and 58 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to the LDS Philanthropies, P.O. Box 27188, Provo, Utah 84602.

Samuel Wallace Kelly

July 21, 1926 - May 2, 2016

Sam was born in American Fork, Utah and grew up in Provo, Utah, with his parents, Lydia and Sam, sisters, Evelyn, and Emily, and brother, Jack. Sam had a happy childhood during the depression, and graduated from high school in 1944, just in time to join the Army and be sent to the European theatre in the 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division.

Returning from the War in 1946, he entered Brigham Young University. He married his longtime sweetheart, Joyce Mower, September 10, 1947, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. After graduation from BYU, he entered dental school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

He moved with his family to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1954, and began a career in dentistry. He was passionate about his profession and kept up with the most progressive techniques.

He enjoyed singing with the Octavos, working in his church responsibilities, accompanying Joyce singing on the piano, and playing the organ. Sam spent a great deal of time helping others, especially through local LDS church positions. He served as a bishop, stake high councilor, member of the Grand Junction Stake Presidency, and Stake Patriarch for many years. He and Joyce served two missions for the LDS Church after retirement.

Sam and Joyce had five children, Steve (Connie), Kathy (Don) Jensen, Tom (Tracy), Vicki (John) Hodgman, and Camille (Brad) Swenson. They taught them a love of hard work, music in all its forms, sports (BYU- go Cougars), education, love of country, and especially love of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sam loved his 19 grandchildren, and tried to keep up with his 58 great-grandchildren. He was revered and loved by all. Our Dad will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years; brother, Jack (Susan) Kelly, and his children and grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Friday, May 6, 2016, at Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, 10:00 a.m., followed by services at 1:00 p.m. at the Grand Junction West LDS Stake Center.

There will be a gathering of friends and family one hour prior to services at the church