Nathan Edmund Kelley Nathan Edmund "Ed" Kelley passed away

Nathan Edmund Kelley Nathan Edmund "Ed" Kelley passed away peacefully into his next adventure on January 18, 2025 in Mesa, AZ, with his wife Betty at his side. Due to declining health, he had been residing in AZ for the past nine years, where he received expert medical care for multiple health challenges. Ed was born and raised in Five Points, NM, where his parents had a chicken ranch. He was the youngest and only boy, and "spoiled rotten" by two older sisters, Winifred and Alene. He attended public schools, graduating from Albuquerque High School in 1957. Before graduation, he started working with Piggly Wiggly stores, where he met Betty Butler, his wife-to-be. Married in 1958, they became the proud parents of Tracey (Dale) Meredith, of Tijeras, NM and Nathan Ed (Therese) Kelley III, also of Tijeras, NM. Ed was very proud of his grandchildren, Amanda Dixon and Zachary Meredith, and was able to meet Amanda's 3 children, his great-grandchildren. He will be missed also by several loving nieces and nephews. Ed enjoyed his status as one of the older students in his classes at the University of New Mexico (UNM), where he earned his Bachelor's (1971) and Master's (1973) degrees in science, and the PhD. Between degrees, he worked independently, and with associates in an environmental consulting business, conducted surveys, research, and reclamation of polluted sites. Some of his favorite projects included US Forest Service surveys of the picnic sites in the Sandias; identifying plant food sources for the people that inhabited an old pueblo, Arroyo Hondo, outside Santa Fe, NM. Working with a team of scientists headed by his mentor, Dr. Loren Potter, he loved researching and mapping the shoreline of Lake Powell. Based on his knowledge of plants and soils, he discovered and identified previously unknown habitation sites while working in the Chaco Canyon Monument. Developing coal mine regulations for the State of New Mexico drew him into working at the State of New Mexico in Energy & Minerals Department. After completing the regulations, he remained in the Department, serving in Mining & Minerals and related issues for the State, until dismissed by the next Governor. His later State position was Director of Water & Waste Management, which he held until 2000 when he retired. Ed was a compassionate and caring man. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fly fishing on the Chama River with his wife, hunting for elk and deer with son Ed and son-in-law Dale and close friends, and camping with family and friends. He loved work in the outdoors and was a strong advocate for environmental protections and resource conservation. He served for several years in New Mexico Trout where he was active in identifying needed projects. He had friends in varied environments and occupations, including several pueblos, national parks and forest service. At his request, there will be no services. The family will gather later in this year for a private celebration of this beloved man's life. We will miss his laughter, and gentle teasing, his keen love of life and learning, and his deep love for his family, friends, and the natural environment. Vaya con Dios, mi amor.