Lathom Kelley tribute planned

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Lathom Kelley tribute planned

September 14, 2022 by David Svien

Lathom Kelley’s jersey, and the prairie where he spent many a day. (Bennett Richter photo)

Wolf Nation is embracing one of its families.

Coupeville High School coaches, administrators, athletes, students, teachers, and fans will unite this Friday, Sept. 16 to honor Lathom Kelley and his family at halftime of a football game with Sultan.

Lathom, who graduated with the CHS Class of 2016, is believed to have died after a kayak accident Saturday between Guemes Island and Jack Island.

A search involving multiple police and fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard recovered the kayak and an oar, which were stuck under the water’s surface in a kelp bed.

Lathom’s backpack was separately recovered, and it was confirmed he had not been wearing a life jacket.

A local diver with experience in operating in kelp braved the strong currents and high tide to lead a two-day search but a body has not been recovered.

After consultation with Lathom’s family, Coupeville High School Athletic Director Willie Smith issued the following statement Wednesday morning:

As you all know, CSD lost one of our own last weekend.

For those of you that didn’t know Lathom, he was one of those students that tested every ounce of one’s patience with his, at once crazy and limit-pushing behavior and in the next moment his positive and embracing behavior.

His father, Lincoln, worked for our district in the maintenance department for many years and was also part of our high school track program, coaching with Randy King for many years.

Brandon, his brother, also graduated from CHS and was an amazingly positive and quiet leader in his own right while at CHS.

Our football team (along with Ryan King, a former CMS/CHS coach), upon hearing of Lathom’s passing, immediately reached out to their coach with the idea of honoring Lathom with a presentation of his jersey, number #44, to his parents and family at halftime of our home game this Friday night.

They will also be wearing a #44 sticker on their helmets the remainder of the season in his honor.

The Kelleys are overwhelmed with this gesture by our football team, and it would go a long way in helping them deal with this unbelievable loss if we had a full showing of support for them at the game.

Please join us this Friday at 7:00 PM as we come together and wrap a grieving family in the arms of our Wolf family.