Gene Allen Kelly

Gene passed away suddenly on the morning of June 28, 2025, at home in Sandy, Utah. He battled multiple health issues in recent years, affecting his heart and lungs. He had recently celebrated his 69th birthday with friends at a favorite Mexican restaurant.

He was born to Jacqueline Frost and Dorvin Lee Ericks in Aurora, Colorado. His parents divorced, and his mother later married Raymond Kelly in Salt Lake City when Gene was still very young.

Gene attended Highland High School in the early 1970s and actively participated in ROTC and Drama Club. He served in the National Guard and spent two years on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1975 until 1981. He was married to Kaylynn Caskinette from 1978 to 1994. They had two children, Thomas and Tyler. He later married Linda Lessley from 1995 to 2017.

He had a successful career as an Automotive Parts Specialist, with a freakishly accurate recollection of Volkswagen part numbers. He worked for the Strong VW family in the Salt Lake area for many years, both before and after living in North Carolina with Linda, where he also worked for Volkswagen dealers.

He had many close friends in Utah and North Carolina. He was an avid North Carolina Panthers fan. While in NC, he enjoyed golfing, drinking—both alcohol and coffee—smoking Kool Super Longs, and eating great food—Linda being a most excellent cook and entertainer. He especially liked sweets, including donuts, which he enjoyed eating as much as doing in snowy parking lots. Gene loved powerful trucks, cars, motorcycles, and of course, all things Volkswagen.

In his younger years, Gene could often be found showing off his roller-skating and dancing skills. He was athletic and full of style—usually the best skater and dancer wherever he went. The name “Gene Kelly” was perfect for his talent, although his style was uniquely his own.

He was raised LDS but was not active as an adult. He found trust and faith in God through his AA involvement and credited that organization and its relationships with saving his life. Gene became a truly born-again Christian after becoming an active member at The Rock Church in Draper, Utah, in 2018. He leaves behind many cherished friends in his church family. With God’s help, Gene was able to break lifelong addictions to alcohol and cigarettes.

Gene will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was always eager to offer help, willing to listen, and often stepped in without being asked. He had a keen sense of what others needed and made the effort to stay in touch. He was forgiving to a fault, continuing to love those who had hurt him. He had his own unique and somewhat sarcastic sense of humor, including a love for bad dad jokes. Gene loved animals, and they loved him—he had undeniable animal (and human) magnetism.

Gene leaves behind two heartbroken sons: Thomas Gene Kelly (Jessica and stepson Axel), and Tyler Aaron Kelly. Three stepchildren that he loved dearly: Lincoln Caskinette, Crystal Roddenberry, and Tiffany Glenn. Two ex-wives who still love and care about him (which really says a lot about Gene): Kaylynn Caskinette Kelly Roddenberry and Linda Lessley Glenn Kelly. He is also survived by five siblings: Jacqueline Kelly, Michael Kelly, Dianna Haip, Linda Morgan, and DeLynn Crofts.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfather, stepson Bryan Glenn, and his beloved Grandpa Irving Frost.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 26th at 11:30 AM at the Rock Church, 11630 S 700 E, Draper, UT 84020.

The family would like to thank his many caregivers at Intermountain Healthcare and Harmony Home Health for their kindness and assistance. We are also very thankful for the pastors and friends at The Rock Church and Starks Funeral Parlor, who have been so helpful during this time.