Dennis Kelly

In Loving Memory of Dennis Michael "Mick" Kelly

March 17, 1949 – December 21, 2024

Dennis Michael “Mick” Kelly, 75, of Mesquite, Nevada, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024. In lieu of burial, Mick requested to be cremated.

Mick was born on March 17, 1949, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Daniel Augustus and Mary Jane (Robertson) Kelly, the youngest of nine children. While he lived in many places during his childhood, his fondest memories were of growing up on the family ranch in McKinnon, Wyoming.

Mick began his blasting career with his father in 1964, working in Winnemucca and Pioche, Nevada. During this time, he met his lifelong friend, Francis “Gooch” Ross. He graduated from Carlin High School in Carlin, Nevada, in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966, serving honorably until May 1969.

After his military service, Mick moved to Mountain View, Wyoming, where he met his firstborn, Dawn Christene Nichols. He began a new career working underground for FMC. In 1973, he married Lynette Beach, and they had two children: Aubrey Lynn, born in August 1973, and Michelle Ann in 1976. The couple later divorced.

Mick’s work took him across Wyoming and Nevada, where he honed his skills in blasting, welding, and operating large equipment. He held long-term positions, including at N.A. Degerstrom in Crescent Valley, Nevada, and as one of Nevada’s two certified blasting managers at Cortez Mine, where he reunited with Gooch.

In 2002, Mick married Linda McKnight in Reno, Nevada, blending their families with Linda’s children, Michelle and Nathan McKnight. He continued his blasting career until an accident in 2007, which led to memory loss and ultimately brought him to Mesquite, Nevada. There, he formed meaningful connections with fellow Wyomingites, Veterans, local residents, and even the postal workers and casino staff.

Mick enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding in the mountains, rockhounding, gambling, storytelling, Razor rides with his family Chuck Bond and Dwayne Tysver as well as sitting around a campfire listening to Wes sing and pick his guitar. He could rassle up some good BBQ and had a talent for turning everyday moments into adventures.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Kelly; five children: Dawn Nichols of Evanston, WY; Aubrey (Troy) Andersen of Mountain View, WY; Michelle (Dave) Piper of St. George, UT; Michelle (Tim) Tinnin of St. George, UT; and Nathan McKnight of St. George, UT. Mick is also survived by his sisters, Nita Bond and Judy (Wes) Whittaker of Robertson, WY, 13 grandchildren; Nathan, Samantha, Amanda, Crystal, Karli, Jodi, Ty, Savannah, Sierra, Makala, Brennan, Joseph, Kayla and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mick was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Mary Kelly, his siblings: Violet Pope, Flora Simco, Irish Daniels, Pat Maroney, Peg Tysver, and Danny Kelly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Helen's Catholic Church in Ft. Bridger, Wyoming. Following the service, a Veterans Honor will be presented by the local VFW, then a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of your choice in Mick’s honor.