John William Kell

JOHN WILLIAM KELL Graveside services for former Cortez resident, John Kell will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 26 at the Arriola Cemetery. John was born on November 14, 1956 in Cortez the son of Gerald Robert and Stella Mae (Fields) Kell. He died Friday, May 20, 2005 near Rangely, the result of an automobile accident. John was 48 years old. John graduated from Montezuma Cortez High School. On July 21, 1976 he was united in marriage to Shirley Kay Yarbrough in Cortez. The couple resided in Cortez and Loma then moving to Rangely in 1987 where John worked in the oil fields. He left the fields to attend Colorado Northwestern Community College, receiving an associate’s degree in Aviation Technology. While attending CNCC, John managed the Sagewood Apartments. At the time of his death he was self-employed as a contract pumper. When John’s daughters were young, he led their 4-H group. He was a former member of the 4-H Foundation Board and the Rio Blanco County Fair Board. Surviving John are his wife, Shirley Kell of Rangely; his two daughters, Patricia Kell of Loma, Colo., and Heather Kell of Grand Junction, Colo.; his father, Bob Kell of Tucson, Ariz.; four brothers, Robert Kell and wife, Beverly of Globe, Ariz., Steve Kell and wife, Sharon of Elko, Nev., Dale Kell of Cortez, David Kell and wife, Chris of Rio Rico, Ariz.; and one sister, Brenda Kell of Cortez. Preceding him in death were his mother; an infant sister, Stella; and one brother, Daniel.