MEYER, Kelly

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 11/15/2015 Kelly Meyer On the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at 11:58 p.m., Kelly Joseph Meyer, 54, unexpectedly passed away from a massive pulmonary embolism at Honor Health Scottsdale Shea in Scottsdale. He was born Oct. 24, 1961, in Riverton, Wyo. Kelly was the second child and the first son of B Joe and Mary JoAnn (Schaffer) Meyer. Kelly graduated from Riverton High School in 1980 as a National Merit Scholar. Kelly graduated as valedictorian from Utah State University College of Natural Resources in 1984 and achieved a master’s degree from Virginia Tech University. While Kelly served his time in the Peace Corps in Africa, he gained a love for travel and world peace (HED). He studied Spanish in South America. He loved the Spanish language and studied daily to learn it. Kelly was a volunteer firefighter for the Lakeside Fire Department from 2001-2015. Kelly was proud of his professions. He was a fisheries and wildlife biologist. He and his crew were instrumental in the process of listing the Apache trout. Kelly worked for the White Mountain Apache Tribe Game and Fish Department and for the Arizona Department of Game and Fish up until the time of his death. He was also an active real estate agent in the White Mountains from 1998 to 2015. He loved sports and the outdoors. He ran a half-marathon, played basketball and was a wrestler, placing second in state, while in high school. He loved taking his boys and friends fishing, camping and anything else outdoors. Kelly coached his children in youth soccer and basketball. Kelly loved his wife and best friend, Denise, and was so proud of his sons, Andrew and Jack. Kelly is survived by his wife, Denise Christine (Throckmorton) Meyer; two sons, Andrew Joseph Meyer and John Jacob “Jack” Meyer; parents B Joseph and Mary Meyer; sister Barbara Diane (James Allen) Brown of Riverton, Wyo.; brother Jay Joseph Meyer of Laramie, Wyo.; his brother-in-law Jake (Leanne) Throckmorton. “Head! Put yourself to sleep on your giant pillow ...” A special memorial service for Kelly will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Blueridge Christian Center, 184 W. White Mountain Blvd. in Lakeside. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.