Kelvin B Groseclose

Pastor Kelvin "Kel" B. Groseclose 1940-2017 Back in 1990, I composed my own obituary and shared it with this paper's (Wenatchee World) readership. Nearly twenty years later, I feel a need to update it, because I've matured significantly and made a few changes in my life. It's not that I don't trust my family and friends to write an excellent remembrance of my life and accomplishments. My plan, of course, is to outlive them all. Anyway, who knows me better than the one who's lived inside this body for nearly 77 years? When that moment arrives, as it does for all Homo sapiens who walked on this earth, I want to go with style and a smile on my wrinkled face. So first of all, you can skip the details such as where and when I was born. Google my name if you must. Who really cares what schools of higher education I attended? What counts are the people I helped, the values I espoused, the hope I shared, and the way I loved my family and friends. I'd like to be remembered in these following ways: Kel Groseclose cared about this earth, its inhabitants, and all living creatures. Okay, he didn't appreciate tomato worms in his garden and pesky ants on their kitchen counters. He sometimes worried too much instead of taking action. He for certain watched too many ballgames on television. He tried to improve the soil around their home, recycle everything he could, and live in peace with his neighbors. When he messed up, he usually asked for forgiveness and for another chance. Kel enjoyed swishing through piles of autumn leaves, kicking rocks down the street, looking through kaleidoscopes, flying kites, and blowing soap bubbles into a gentle breeze. Next to his love affair with family, especially those 15 gifted and beautiful grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, he had a passion for his small garden, their various family pets, and the magnificent maple tree in their front yard. He talked to birds and butterflies, and often gave them names. Music was an integral part of his daily life, from old time fiddle tunes to the pipe organ, from percussion to string quartets. He enjoyed cooking and made a tasty apple crisp using his mother's well-worn recipe. He would have lived in a tree house had it been an option. He pressed flower petals in his journals, all 45 of them (to date). Watching the sky on a clear winter night took his breath away. Kel had his share of faults. He probably played over a million games of solitaire; blew seeds off dried dandelions and into his neighbors' yards; and sneaked chocolate chip cookies when he thought no one was watching. He could hit a telephone pole at 50 feet with a snowball, and was skilled at skipping flat rocks on smooth ponds. Kel finally learned to cry when he was 41-years-old, and considered it one of his most important accomplishments. He talked too much, listened too little, and hugged too infrequently. He chewed his fingernails when he got nervous, had dandruff in his beard, slurped hot coffee, and couldn't keep a secret worth beans. He never claimed to be perfect, always admitting that he was a perpetual work in progress. He hopes that family and friends will gather where there's lots of food, noise, laughter, and maybe a few tears; and swap stories about that old guy who did the best he could considering what he had to work with. Somebody better bring a fiddle and get folks dancing; or at least tapping their toes to a lively beat. Otherwise, he may have to come back and do it himself. Please join Kel's wife, Ellen; children, John (Heather) Groseclose, Steve (Kimberly) Groseclose, Aimee (Michael) Wilson, Mike (Kristen) Groseclose, Sara (Bryce) Milton and David (Cheryl) Groseclose; sister, Anna (Jerry) Nichols, his 15 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren for a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 16, 2017, 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist church in Wenatchee. You are invited to view his online guestbook at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee

Kelvin B Groseclose

November 14, 1940 - June 29, 2017