Obituary of Kelley Franklin shuttlesworth

Kelley Franklin Shuttlesworth’s life ended on 14 June 2019 at the age of 71. He was the husband of Karen Kemp Shuttlesworth and together they shared 44 years in Pensacola, FL creating a full life with two sons, Sean Kelley Shuttlesworth and James Erik Shuttlesworth, step son Richard Craig Lowery, daughter Kimberly Strickland and adopted daughter Sonia Qunitiliani. He was born 1948 in Birmingham, Alabama, and was the son of Thomas Kelley Shuttlesworth and Anna Eleanor (Bailey) Shuttlesworth. His childhood was full of fun and adventures! He loved the outdoors and was voted as the “wittiest” in school. His Dad would say he was the “class clown” and always getting into mischief. As a child he traded his bicycle for a saggy old horse to the dismay of his parents. He was a loving brother to his sister, Becky Shuttlesworth Smith of Fultondale, Al. He enjoyed many days fishing with his grandparents, Leander Crathan Shuttlesworth and Wilma (Quick) Shuttlesworth on Smith Lake, AL. His “green thumb” passion for plants and flowers was a precious gift given to him by his grandfather Rudolph Bailey, Jefferson County, AL. His father and Uncle Lloyd introduced him to music and at the age of 6, Kelley was playing the guitar and often featured on the “Country Boy Eddie Show” in Birmingham, AL. Kelley’s love of music continued his entire life as a singer, songwriter and guitarist in various bands. He was known as “Kelley Brown” to his musician friends and his group, “The Cactus Creek Band” rocked the stage for over 30 years. He dedicated 10 years supporting local musicians as an original founder, board member and “Discovery Stage” manager of Pensacola’s annual Springfest event. His federal civil service career as a welder and sheet metal mechanic spanned 23 years. Many knew him as “Coach Kelley” at Warrington Ball Park from 1983 – 1995 coaching T-Ball through 15 year-old major league. His life was full of adventures experiencing kickboxing, rodeo riding, bull riding, bow hunting, dirt bike racing and motorcycle riding. He was an eclectic collector of many antiquities most recently enthused with Native American memorabilia. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1967, serving in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1970. He became “Tater” of the Vietnam Vets Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club on 22 June 2012. He is best known in the club for creating the “Safety” meeting patch which is widely worn in the club today. Tater and his band performed at many club events and he will be greatly missed by his brothers in the VNVLV MC worldwide. He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Kelley Shuttlesworth, Fultondale AL. He is survived by his wife, Karen Kemp Shuttlesworth; mother, Anna Eleanor Shuttlesworth; sister, Becky Shuttlesworth Smith; sons, Sean Kelley Shuttlesworth and James Erik Shuttlesworth; step son Richard Craig Lowery; daughters, Kimberly Strickland and Sonia Quintiliani; brother in law and sister in law, Jim and Tammy Kemp; grandchildren, Tyler Shuttlesworth, Abigail Qunitiliani, Airyanne Shuttlesworth, Natalie Shuttlesworth, Ylva Shuttlesworth, Alex Miller and Demi Caraboro; plus many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the “Wounded Warrior Project” at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. A “Celebration of Life” event will be held Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 9:30 am at the family’s home. We love you forever PawPaw! Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday……unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.