Steve Kelly passed away suddenly at his home shortly after celebrating his 79th birthday. He was born on June 11, 1947, in Longview Washington.

Steve was one of six children. As a child in Longview, he spent time playing with his siblings at Lake Sacajawea and many summers hiking and climbing around Spirit Lake in Mount Saint Helens.

Steve was an avid reader with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He  inherited, from his father, a keen curiosity on how things worked. He even completed the well-known Evelyn Wood Speed Reading course, a reflection of both his intellectual curiosity and his love of books. In the mid 1960s Steve and family moved to Eureka and grew the family business, Thrifty Supply Company. He graduated from Eureka high school and Humboldt State. He went to the University of Oregon where he earned his degree in physics. His graduate work was done at Pine Mountain Observatory in Oregon.

Over the next 50 years, he became the company’s trusted problem solver and resident expert. Generations of plumbers knew they could count on Steve for answers to difficult questions, hard-to-find parts, and practical solutions. Many would quietly make their way up to his office to pick his brain or seek help and tracking down a special part. His knowledge, patience, and willingness to help made him an invaluable part of Thrifty Supply and a respected figure in the local plumbing community. As the wizard of plumbing, he was known as the “Plumacist “

He spent many years at “The Warehouse,” where life was simple. Always in a blue shirt, his office was shared with numerous cats and the “working lunch” was always Top Ramen. He found comfort in routine, independence, reading books, and working on his property. A private man by nature, Steve enjoyed a life of solitude on his 44 acres in Jacoby Creek. He found peace under the redwoods and a quiet life he cherished.

Preceded in death by his mother, Mary Lou Kelly, and father, Malcolm Archibald Kelly, along with his oldest brother Malcolm Bruce. He is survived by his sister, Sandy and Dan Comer; sister Nancy and Gary Woods; sister Bonnie Von Braun; and and his youngest brother, James; and Gordon Kelly, and partner Craig Wcislo. Besides family, he leaves behind loyal co-workers and regular customers.

Steve will be remembered for his sharp mind, resourcefulness, dry sense of humor, and countless ways he helped others solve problems, both large and small. Past and present employees of Thrifty and customers depended and benefited from his wisdom, kindness, and unwavering dedication to the family plumbing business.

Per Steve’s wishes, there will be no funeral services, but a celebration of life will take place in August.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Steve Kelly’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.