Steve Kelly

Steve Kelly 1957 - 2024
Steven Mark Kelly passed away in his home in Big Bear the first week of November 2024. He
was 67 years old. He had struggled with a few health complications . He was born the third
week of October in 1957 to Hugh John Kelly and Corrine Kelly in Orange, California. His Father
served in the military and the family got transferred frequently, before settling in El Toro, CA in
the early 1960's. They relocated to beautiful San Juan Capistrano and Steve attended Dana
Hills High School. After High School, Steve began a career employed in restaurants in Dana
Point. Later on, he moved to Vail, Colorado and continued in the restaurant business. He
eventually relocated to Big Bear, CA. He quickly was hired at The Blue Whale. It was in Big
Bear that he met his future wife, Vicki Raymond. They were married in 1990. The marriage
lasted for 25 years. They went to Italy and traveled all over the world, on a dozen different
Cruise Ships together. They both enjoyed getting out to Lake Mojave with their waverunners
and also had fun with them on Big Bear Lake. In 2005 they bought a house in Monterey Country
Club, Palm Desert. Steve embraced the desert and it was a happy time for them both.
Steve was ambitious and became a licensed Painter. He was quite successful, putting up a
sign in Moonridge advertising "Pine Needle Removal Service." He took on a handyman type
approach and not only did painting, staining, sealing but also repair jobs and weed abatement
jobs and could fix just about anything inside and outside a home. He was reliable and
customers would refer him to others for hire. Steve had a wonderful sense of humor. He
laughed often. He was a good conversationalist and made friends easily, wherever he went.
Steve was really fun to be around and possessed a larger than life personality. He had an
enviable "Joie de Vie" for life. He embraced new adventures, traveled to China in 2019, and
would ride his motorcycle to Death Valley on the hottest day of the year! He was an
accomplished skateboarder and snowboarder. He enjoyed shredding fresh powder snow on
Bear Mountain. He loved to take his 2 dogs, Brewster & Harley on hikes throughout the various
hiking trails in Big Bear. He embraced all that Big Bear had to offer, like a Chili Cook-Off or The
Car Show. The Farmer's Market was one of his favorite events, and of course, Oktoberfest. He
was a good cook and a fabulous BBQ'er. Steve greatly enjoyed being around people, quite
social, especially family and friends. He was equally comfortable relaxing at home or in nature,
enjoying the beauty of the alpine setting that is Big Bear.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Corrine Kelly, his brother Jim and stepmother,
Ruth Kelly. He is survived by his brother John Kelly (Sue), stepsisters Lynda Brown (Guy), Lisa
Reed (Don), niece Ashlee Reed (Justin), nephews Chris Reed (Kelsey) and Bryan Brown. Also
3 great nephews and a great niece, and friends John Sweeney, Pat Nangle, Larry and Vicki
Longo, Emmanuel Mozino and numerous other friends in the Big Bear Community. He will be
missed dearly by all that knew Steve Kelly.
A Celebration of Life is to be held at a later date this Springtime, in Big Bear.