Kelly O. McKittrick

Kelly O. McKittrick, 48, died June 27, 2012, unexpectedly of a heart attack at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

He was born Nov. 19, 1963, in Indianapolis, Ind. He graduated from Dimond High School in Anchorage in 1982.

Kelly became a resident of Alaska in 1972. He lived in Chugiak and Rainbow Valley from 1973 off and on until 2011, when he moved to Girdwood.

He was a commercial fisherman from 1988 to 1995 in Prince William Sound and Bristol Bay. He was a self-employed finish carpenter in the Anchorage and Cordova areas. Kelly was an avid downhill skier — he loved Alyeska. He was a member of Fairbanks Lions Racing a motorcycle racing club. Kelly had a zest for life. He loved action, be it skiing, motorcycling or fishing. Fine woodworking came naturally to him.

He beautified many homes in Alaska with his talent. His daughters Tessa and Moriah were his pride and joy. He loved teaching them to ski. They spent hours and hours on the slopes of Alyeska. Kelly had many good friends in both his skiing circle and motorcycle race club. Among the most special was his brother, Tim, with whom he shared a friendly sense of competition.

Surviving are brother, Tim and Heather McKittrick of Wasilla; mother, Susan Ogle and step-father C.K. Weaverling of Cordova; grandmother, Ruth Ogle of SanAntonio, Texas; aunt and uncle, Michaela and Mark Huesing of Noblesville, Ind.; aunt Sandy Wardell of Helena, Mont.; loving friend, Jody Swanson of Wasilla; daughters, Tessa and Moriah McKittrick of Palmer; former wife Joyce Restad Haley of Palmer; and step-brother, Martin Gallagher of the U.K.

Preceding him in death was his father, Patrick O. McKittrick; grandfather, Joseph A. Ogle; and uncle, John Wardell.

Memorial donations can be made to the Tessa and Moriah McKittrick fund at Wells Fargo Bank.

The family was taken care of by Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel in Palmer.