April 27, 1958 – September 22, 2026

It is with profound sadness and deep love that we remember and celebrate the life of Bartley Kellner “Kelly” Attwell, a devoted husband, proud father, brother, dedicated community servant, and loyal friend.

Kelly was born on April 27, 1958, in Calgary, Alberta. In 1962, he moved to Lethbridge with his parents, where he spent his childhood and school years. He attended Agnes Davidson Elementary School, Gilbert Paterson Middle School, and later graduated from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in 1976. Following high school, Kelly studied Engineering Technology at SAIT before discovering his passion for carpentry. He attended Lethbridge Community College, completing his apprenticeship and earning his Journeyman Carpenter certification on June 29, 1983.

 

Kelly married Pam Garner in 1983. Although that marriage later ended, it was an important chapter in his life. In 1991, he married the love of his life, Jody Griffith, beginning a partnership that would span 34 years and be filled with love, laughter, friendship, and adventure. Together they welcomed two children, Reegan and Sierra, who became his greatest source of pride and joy.

Throughout his career, Kelly was respected for his strong work ethic, practical skills, and commitment to excellence. He worked for Charmar Enterprises from 1990 to 2000 before beginning a long and rewarding career with the City of Brooks, where he worked from 2000 until his retirement in 2021. Starting as a Recreation Operator, Kelly advanced through the positions of Journeyman Carpenter, Building Inspector, and ultimately Facilities Supervisor. He took great pride in maintaining and improving the facilities that served the community he loved.

Kelly’s commitment to service extended beyond his employment. From 2008 to 2021, he served as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Brooks Fire Department, a role that became a defining part of his life and his family’s life as well. The fire hall became a second home, creating countless memories and friendships that would last a lifetime.

After retiring in April 2021, Kelly and Jody returned to Lethbridge, where they enjoyed being closer to family and familiar surroundings.

While his career and volunteer service were important to him, Kelly’s true happiness was found in time spent with family and friends. He loved adventure, the outdoors, and creating memories with those he loved. Family houseboating trips on the Shuswap and Lake Koocanusa became cherished traditions filled with laughter, campfires, water sports, and lifelong friendships. For 14 years, Kelly and Jody shared ownership in Ptarmigan Village in Whitefish, Montana, with close friends, the Schacher’s. Together they enjoyed countless days of water skiing, snow skiing, hiking, boating, and exploring the beauty of the outdoors.

Kelly also loved camping and quadding adventures throughout the Crowsnest Pass, Bragg Creek, and other backcountry destinations. Family vacations took him to Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, Mexico, Costa Rica, and along the breathtaking coast of British Columbia in his beloved BMW Z3. An avid golfer, he looked forward to golf trips with friends throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Myrtle Beach, and attended mixed-ball tournaments all over southern Alberta.

One of Kelly’s greatest joys was teaching his children and helping them explore their interests.

Reegan remembers his father as someone who never hesitated to support the things that made his children happy. One special memory was when Kelly took him to his first Calgary Comic Expo. Although comic conventions may not have been Kelly’s personal passion, he was thrilled simply because Reegan enjoyed it. Reegan also fondly remembers attending a Calgary Flames versus Vancouver Canucks game with his dad through a City of Brooks employee event, sharing an experience they both genuinely enjoyed together.

Sierra remembers growing up with a father who was always building, fixing, teaching, and encouraging. Together they built school projects, including a small boat made from foam and chopsticks that they floated in the bathtub and a Popsicle-stick bridge that they tested until it finally broke under the weight. Whenever Sierra came home from wood shop projects, Kelly would proudly admire her work and offer practical advice on how to improve her next creation.

Some of Sierra’s happiest memories revolve around the fire hall. During community parades in Brooks, she and Reegan rode in fire trucks proudly wearing some of Dad’s oversized firefighting gear. At Christmas, they would visit Kelly while he monitored fire pits during the arrival of the CP Holiday Train. When the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge swept across the country, Kelly nominated his family, and firefighters enthusiastically dumped buckets of ice water on them before giving them an extra blast from a fire hose. The end of football season often meant gathering snacks and heading to the fire hall’s TV room to watch the Super Bowl together. The same can be said when the Grey Cup was on.

One family story became legendary when emergency vehicles suddenly arrived at their house with lights flashing late one evening. Mom, Reegan, and Sierra panicked until they learned the firefighters needed the family’s boat to assist with a lake rescue. What began as a frightening moment soon became another family story that would be retold for years.

Kelly was known for turning ordinary family vacations into unforgettable adventures. During houseboat trips with the Schacher and Rivoire families, the adults would choose themes each year.

When the theme was pirates, Kelly handcrafted a treasure chest, filled it with treats and small prizes, created treasure maps, and organized treasure hunts for the kids. The treasure chest became such a beloved tradition that it accompanied nearly every trip afterward.

Whether teaching his children to kneeboard, water ski, wakeboard, ski, or snowboard, Kelly was always patient and encouraging. When Sierra struggled with skiing in Whitefish, Kelly helped her discover snowboarding instead and proudly helped her pick out her first snowboard. He was always willing to adapt and find a way for his children to succeed.

His sense of humor also shone through during family adventures. One memorable incident involved loading a quad onto a trailer at Uncle Dale and Auntie Lorie’s property. Instead of stopping on the trailer, Kelly accidentally drove completely over it. Sierra cried, Uncle Dale laughed, and Kelly sat there stunned on the quad, creating a story that would bring laughter for years afterward.

Kelly was also the dependable father who quietly took care of life’s little problems. When Sierra nearly ran out of gas after visiting him at Lake Newell, he used fuel from the boat’s jerry can to make sure she reached a gas station safely. When her washer fluid reservoir cracked, he tracked down a replacement and installed it himself. When it came time for Reegan and Sierra to learn how to drive, both eventually turned to Dad because his calm teaching style made learning easier and less stressful.

Sierra also fondly remembers the early mornings she spent with her father caring for her horse, High-Pass. Before school, often at five in the morning, Kelly would accompany her to the barn to feed him and let him out to run around the arena. These quiet moments together became some of her most treasured memories.

Music was another important part of Kelly’s life. His favorite songs included “Free Bird” and “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole, “Unfinished Life” by Jimmie Van Zant, and “The Dance” by Garth Brooks. Each song reflected something of the man he was: thoughtful, loyal, adventurous, and deeply appreciative of life’s journey.

“The Dance” by Garth Brooks contains a line that seems especially fitting for Kelly’s journey: not measured by its ending, but by all the moments, relationships, and memories that made it meaningful.

Kelly was incredibly proud that his entire immediate family shared a commitment to helping others through lifeguarding, volunteering, emergency services, and firefighting. Service to community was a value he lived every day and a legacy he leaves behind.

Kelly is lovingly survived by his wife, Jody Attwell; his children, Reegan and Sierra Attwell; his mother, Audrey Christiansen; and his stepfather, Roy Christiansen. He is also survived by his brother, Dan (Wendy) Attwell; his sister, Kathy (Ryan) Maier; his aunt Marilyn McIlvride; niece Karen (Lee) McGinn; nephew Rob (Dixie) McIlvride; stepbrother Darryl (Suzy) Christiansen; stepsister Tracey (Howard) Mix; and numerous extended family members and dear friends.

Kelly was predeceased by his father, Donald Attwell; his uncle, Glen McIlvride; his grandparents Bartley and Dorothy Attwell, Daniel Kellner, Edna Snyder, and Manny Snyder; his stepbrother Michael Christiansen; and his parents-in-law Rod and Jean Griffith.

Kelly’s life was measured not by possessions or accomplishments, but by the love he shared, the people he helped, the adventures he embraced, and the family he cherished. He leaves behind countless stories, lasting friendships, and a legacy of kindness, service, laughter, and love.

Forever loved, forever remembered, and forever missed.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2026-09-22
• Location : Alberta