Frederick "Fred" Lorne Kelly

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, brother, father, and grandfather, Fred Kelly, on February 8, 2026. Fred passed peacefully with family by his side after a year-long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). He was predeceased by his parents Lorne and Joyce Kelly, his eldest brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Janet Kelly.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Donna Kelly; two daughters and one son, Melissa (Tim) Hurlbut, Matthew (Ana) Kelly, and Megan (Dallas) Marriott; two grandchildren, Isaiah Hurlbut and Bree Hurlbut, and his three brothers, Greg (Tammy) Kelly, George (Karen) Kelly, and Dean (Kim) Kelly.

Fred was born on January 7, 1954, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He grew up on the family farm north of Dodsland, Saskatchewan, alongside his parents and four brothers. Farm life shaped Fred from an early age. It taught him hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family. He helped with seeding and harvest every year, and when he was not working on the farm, he was focused on completing his education. He spent his free time playing hockey, spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, tinkering with mechanics, and learning to hold his own among brothers who loved, played, and fought hard. He attended school in Kelfied, Dodsland, and Plenty, graduating from high school in Plenty, Saskatchewan in 1972. Fred always spoke fondly of growing up in rural Saskatchewan, and the people and community there remained important to him throughout his life.

At the age of 18, Fred spent the winter in Calgary, working various jobs while still returning to help on the family farm. It was in Calgary where he first met the love of his life, Donna, who babysat the children in the home where he was billeting. A few years later, he recognized Donna working as an usherette at a Calgary Centennials hockey game. He started coming to the games regularly and eventually asked her out. They went on their first date on Donna’s 17th birthday. Two years later they married on June 17, 1978, in Calgary, Alberta.

After their wedding, Fred and Donna moved to Dodsland, Saskatchewan, where Fred continued working, running the Shell Gas Station. They welcomed their first child, Melissa in 1980 and moved into Kindersley, Saskatchewan later that same year when Fred’s work in the oil and gas industry required relocation. Over the years, Fred worked in a variety of roles and ran businesses, including Big Heart, Pepsi, Superior Propane, West Star, and later successfully running and operating the Shell Gas Station and Car Wash in Kindersley and Rosetown. Fred worked tirelessly to provide for his family and took great pride in doing so. Their son, Matthew was born in 1982, and later their daughter, Megan in 1989. 

In 2002, Fred and Donna moved to the mountain community, Banff, Alberta, to run the Shell Station in town and later in Canmore, Alberta. He later moved on from Shell to Old Dutch Chips, where he owned the route for the entire Bow Valley, until he decided to semi-retire and move closer to family in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 2017. Fred continued working as a school bus driver until he was diagnosed with ALS in 2025. He loved that job, and the kids loved him right back. Even after retiring, the kids he drove, and other neighbourhood kids would stop by the house just to visit him. In Medicine Hat, Fred formed new friendships with school bus colleagues and reconnected with old friends from Kindersley and Dodsland, always valuing friendship and community.

Fred’s faith was central to his life. He was actively involved in every church he attended, serving many roles, including elder, board member and chair, participant in bible studies, and youth leader. He volunteered regularly in the Banff church food bank, soup kitchen, and other giving ministries. Fred loved Jesus deeply and lived his faith through service to others. He was generous to a fault, often giving people a place to sleep, food to eat, coffee to share, or money if they were in need. He believed strongly in integrity, and stood firmly in his faith and values, living his life with quiet conviction. Fred was also known for his sarcastic humour, playful pranks, and ability to find laughter even in difficult moments. He was a hard worker, devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a man who cared deeply for others. 

Fred will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. 

“People may forget, but one thing they do not forget is how you made them feel.”

A Celebration of Life will be held at Hillcrest Church on Friday, February 20th, 2026, at 1:00pm. Donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the ALS Society of Alberta (7874 10th St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8W1).

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