Kelly R. Dye, 58 , passed away on Monday, May 20 , 2024 at University of Toledo Medical Center after a brief but hard-fought battle with Lymphoma.

He was born on April 19, 1966 in Willard, Ohio to Merlin and the late Judith K. (Smith) Dye. Kelly attended Buckeye Central High School and was a proud member of the 1982-83 Boys' Basketball Team Class A, Ohio State Tournament runners up.  Kelly attended Bluffton University, earning a degree in Secondary Education. He taught high school History at Parkway High School in Rockford, Ohio for 7 years and also worked to complete his Masters' Degree from the University of Dayton. While teaching, Kelly was actively involved in coaching basketball including the Freshmen boys' basketball team at Lincolnview for 1 year, JV boys' basketball at Parkway for 1 year, and Varsity Girls' basketball at Parkway for 6 years. Kelly had a heart for his students and players. He touched many lives as a mentor and leader. Kelly went on to get his Principal's certification from Ashland University and served as Principal for 3 years in New London, Ohio before taking the Junior High /High School Principal position at Lincolnview High School in Van Wert, Ohio where he served for 14 years.

He met his wife Beth (Jones) Dye at Bluffton University and they were married on August 5, 1989. They shared 34 years of marriage and twin daughters Claire Dye ( Brandon May),Gambier, Ohio  and Katie (Tim) Fralick, Convoy, Ohio. Kelly was proud of his daughters and never missed any of their events and was always their biggest fan. His proudest accomplishment, however, came later in life as he became a Pappa to Gavin Benton Fralick and Landon Dean Fralick who were his absolute greatest joys.  He looked forward to sharing his love for the Kentucky Wildcats with his grandsons and hoped one day to take them to Rupp Arena as a part of the Big Blue Nation. Kelly also loved vacations at the beach with friends and family and his cat, Tucker.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Beth, of Van Wert along with his daughters and their families; four sisters, Debby (Hershel) Rowe of Shelby, Ohio, Sandy Hale of Plymouth, Ohio, Sharon (Freddy) Rowe of Willard, Ohio and Linda (Brian) Kuczynski of Richfield, Ohio; a brother- in- law, Jay Jones ( Carol Canales) of Van Wert, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Judy K. Dye; a brother, Gary Dye; a brother-in-law, Rod Hale and a nephew, Nathan Rowe.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday with Dave Bowen officiating. Interment will take place at Ridge Cemetery, Ridge Township, Van Wert County, Ohio.

Preferred memorials are to Lifeline of Ohio, who promotes and coordinates organ and tissue donation for transplants.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.