Born Nov. 30, 1942 ,in Omak, Wash., Kelly Behymer passed away on April 27, 2020, after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s and dehydration. He was 77 years old.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Josefina; daughter, Niki Nelson; and grandchildren, Hannah and Wyatt.

Kelly served in the Air Force and Air National Guard. He retired in Coupeville, Wash., on Whidbey Island.

He loved books and magazines and videos of all kinds with a passion. He was an avid collector of military memorabilia.

He would go out and drag his chair to watch the aerial show as jets practiced at the nearby base. He quipped, “No need to pay to watch these planes.”

He once was regarded by an employer as everyone’s model for an employee.

He was a simple, quiet, gentle giant. He was a very personable man.

Kelly and Josefina were married for 40 years.

I will miss him very much.

Memorial service with military honors is 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Wallin Funeral Home.

Friends and family can watch services for Kelly by going going to Wallin Funeral Home’s Facebook page and then liking the page to receive a notification when services go live.