Parker J Kelly Obituary (1996 - 2018)

Parker James Kelly, died of a heroin overdose on November 11th, 2018. Parker was born February 20th, 1996, a son of Todd M. Kelly and Stacey Hedrick. He came into this world, hitting the ground running and never slowed down. He was born with beautiful crystal blue eyes, referred to as stunning "Wolf Eyes" as he got older. He grew up in Ogden, Brigham City, South Willard, Plain City and Honeyville. He attended Box Elder Schools, Freemont High School, and Three Rivers. His older sister, Allie, was so disappointed he was boy, she promptly named him "Patricia". These two were inseparable for years. She would involve him in dress up. He would wear her hair bows, her dresses that dragged on the ground, makeup, so she could practice her skills. One of her funniest memories is coming home to find him and a friend dressed in her prom dresses, playing XBOX. He loved to crack up his family. We were always in stitches, his jokes, his sense of humor never stopped. He received several time outs for this, once his Mom and Dad could quit laughing, and discipline him. He loved playing XBOX with his brothers, Skyler and Trevor. He would look at all the cheats on the internet to try and beat them the next game. He may have succeeded several times. He and his brothers were the masters at yard work, as their Dad traveled for many years. He turned this into a business doing yards for our neighbors in South Willard for several years. He was a perfectionist. His dad and brothers taught him the importance of taking care of the customer. They all took care of their mom and sister, helping in so many ways. Our family had so many precious dogs over the years. He mourned each one we lost with a deep sorrow. When his mom couldn't find him, he was outside with one of them, playing fetch, running through the yard. He lost a friend at a young age, Robbie, he didn't talk much about him after, he internalized this and it came out in later years through his rehab program. Our hope is he was greeted by his friends and family that had passed before him, and all the dog kisses he could handle. Our family loved to camp. One trip (he was 3 or 4) he found two caterpillars and carried them around the whole weekend. He protected them, fed them, took amazing care of them. When we were packing the truck to leave, he squished them and said, "Well that's that." He didn't want them to be without him taking care of them. He didn't think they would survive without his care. He loved sports. He and his Dad had many bonding years, as his dad would coach. He loved playing football and was so upset when he broke the cartilage in his chest, hitting his opponents too hard, at the age of 13. He played more baseball after that and made life long friends. His dad and brothers have great memories duck hunting out of the duck boat. Years and years of bonding time. Their motto of "what happens in the duck boat, stays in the duck boat." He had to be reminded of that, once telling a joke he heard to his mom after coming home. He laughed and laughed, once again putting her in stitches. Then he discovered snowboarding. This young man didn't do anything half way. He couldn't stay off the mountain. He would come home after each trip, many bruises from his "jumps" he had to perfect. He loved dirt bikes, which terrified his mom. We believe if this young man could have grown wings, he would have. He has a special bond with his niece, Brylee, his nephews, Kohen, Chancey and McCabe. He spent hours on the floor, building lego towers, taking Brylee for rides on his bike and skateboard. He loved to dress Kohen up in his clothes to make him look "cool" when he was just a little guy. They loved their "Uncle Parker" and he loved them with his whole heart. It didn't matter which school he attended, he always had a huge gathering of friends. Having a popular kid drove his mother crazy. He took over classrooms from the teacher and was the class clown, amplified by ten. He thought his jokes were more fun than the work she/he had assigned and his many followers jumped right on his bandwagon. His mom decided to attend ACYI each afternoon for months, to help him focus. It only made him more popular. She was known as Mama Kelly and still gets hugs from his many friends to this day. He did make more of an effort, trying to channel his "personality" for the good of those around him. He was a natural leader, with the ability to draw others to him. His mom would receive phone calls before he even got off the bus, about his latest antics. His parents knew if he could channel this, he was unstoppable in whatever he chose to do in the future. He went to rehab at the age of 17. His demons were many. His descent back into this dark world 6 months after he returned home, broke our hearts, but not our hope. We had to practice tough love and ask him to leave our home. He loved to draw and had a talent doing a unique graffiti art. We will cherish all of the drawings he did, even the ones that showed the demons he was fighting. He got clean again and asked to come back home. He got a job at Autoliv, his first job that drug tested and he succeeded for about a year. His countenance once again turned "dark" and his parents knew that this time it was worse. Heroin. Heroin whispers lies, steals, robs, sends a person to jail, crushes the biggest dreams and ruins potential. It takes a family on a rollercoaster ride of hell. It brings intense fear to those that are on the sidelines, helpless to stop the ride. It brings a mother to the back of the court room, watching this once, unstoppable child, hair long and unkempt, fidgeting in front of a judge who sees many like him. His voice weak. He's not allowed to look at her. He does it anyway and winks. She catches a glimpse of the boy she knows and her heart aches. For every needle used, there were many prayers. For each relapse, there was hope for a future, once so bright. His family will fight along others that have joined a club we never wanted to be in. One of loss, intense heartache, arms empty, but still full with each other. We will remember him singing "Don't Stop Believing" with his mom and sister, Allie. Each car ride was an opportunity for a new concert. We will remember the boy that loved to duck hunt with his dad and brothers, his ability to light up the room wherever he went, when life was good and whole. We love you Parker. We long to feel that hug, the one he gave as he came up behind you and folded you in his arms. If there are any classes in Heaven, we hope our "Father" can help you focus as you try take over. He did create you after all. Surviving are his parents: Todd Kelly (fiance Gina Fanucchi), Stacey (Kirk) Hedrick; siblings: Skyler (Nicole) Kelly, Trevor Kelly, Alexandra (Preston) Norris; Niece: Brylee Obray; Nephews: Kohen, Chancey & McCabe. Stepbrothers: Zach Hedrick (fiance Kayli Lowder), Bridger Hedrick; Stepsisters: Kassidy (Derek) Carter; Maguire Hedrick; Grandparents: Gary and Iola Kelly, Garth and Vicki Winn, Erlene Hedrick. So many uncles, aunts, cousins that love him dearly and will miss him terribly. A celebration of life memorial will be held Friday, November 16th, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Gillies Funeral Home, 634 E 200 S, Brigham City, Utah. His remains, after cremation, will be made into keepsakes, his family can keep close to their hearts. As a family we express deep gratitude for those that have helped us along the way, reached out in this time of sorrow, donated money to ease the burden. The many hugs, prayers and arms around us are keeping us upright. We love you all.