Kenneth Maynard Kissell

Kenneth Maynard Kissell passed Jan 30, 2025. Ken was born in Kansas on March 1, 1936, in the dust bowl era. He was the 9th of 10 children, grew up in Fort Collins, CO and graduated from Fort Collins High School. He had very fond memories of playing football, winning 3 state football championships during his high school career and spoke of it often. He never missed a FCHS Class Reunion and was one year shy of celebrating 70 years with his classmates. He attended Colorado A&M before moving to Alaska and was drafted into the Army shortly thereafter. He deployed to Korea and served with the Combat Engineers. After his service, he worked as a large equipment operator, mechanic welder and belonged to the Operating Engineers Union. He also graduated from Cheyenne Aero Tech in 1991 with an Associates in Aviation Maintenance. The years of physical labor took a toll on his body, but that didn’t stop him from building a beautiful log home where he lived for the past 20+ years. 

Taking care of him was a fulfilling job. Even on the days he was in excruciating pain, he always expressed his gratitude with please, thank you, and I love you. His positive outlook on life was admirable and will be missed. “Getting old isn’t for pu**ie*” was a common catch phrase, but he genuinely wanted to live to be 110. In the grand scheme of things, he almost made it.

Ken was married to Shirley (Mellies) Kissell for 62 years and had 3 step children Vickie Sutton of Carpenter, WY; Cindy Swanson of Cheyenne, WY; and Michelle Jones of Fort Collins, CO; and 3 children with Shirley; Kenny Kissell of LaPorte, CO and Kyla Warren of Carpenter, WY; and Kevin Kissell of Fort Collins, CO. He also had 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and numerous great great grandchildren. 

He loved his two little Chihuahuas, Jack and Buddy, more than anything. He was so proud of the log home he built, and enjoyed being outside, taking care of his yard and garden and feeding the wild birds. 

He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends. 

The family would also like to thank his caregivers from Synergy and Continue Care and his healthcare team at the Cheyenne VA. 

To everyone inquiring about a viewing. Too bad. You should have visited him when he was alive. You didn’t hurt anyone but yourself. If you want to blame someone for not allowing you to set foot on his property, ask yourself why you never tried to help him out for the past 20+ years. It was his wish to keep the thieves and moochers away and not give them a chance to steal anything else.