Brian Lewis Wells
July 30, 1981 ~ June 19, 2021
Brian Lewis Wells passed away, unexpectedly, the evening of June 19, 2021, while vacationing with his wife and friends outside Moab, Utah.
Brian, a lifelong resident of the Roaring Fork Valley, was born in Aspen CO July 30, 1981. He grew up in Carbondale, graduated from Roaring Fork High School in 1999, and Colorado State University in 2003, with a degree in Construction Management.
While in college riding horses, he met his wife of almost 13 years, Kimberly (Zalewski), and the two of them went on to share adventures that many could only dream of.
Brian was a skilled outdoorsman and loved being active in nature. He was also deeply devoted to supporting his family and friends. In his youth, he focused on competitive swimming and spent summers traveling with his dad, mom, and brother around the state with the Sopris Barracudas. He also enjoyed skiing, hunting, jeeping, camping, and hiking. As an adult, he took on new adventures such as backcountry ski hut trips, mountain biking, and river rafting. Brian and his wife quickly turned these passions into a lifestyle.
After being introduced to sailing by his closest friend, Brian fell in love with the sport and made it an annual tradition. Over the next decade Brian navigated through the majority of the Caribbean Islands with his family and friends by his side. In a testament to Brian’s dream of sharing sailing with his family, Brian and Kim completed professional sailing certification together in 2018.
As a natural leader, and a mentor to many, his teachings demonstrated an incredible work ethic and problem-solving acumen. Brian was an experienced craftsman and took great pride in working with his hands. Together with his wife, many days were spent perfecting their dream home.
Brian had a love of Colorado history and genealogy and was proud of his family’s continuous presence in the State of Colorado. He was a direct descendant of Lui Miller and Christina Shock Miller, Colorado Pioneers who arrived in the first horse drawn carriage seen on the streets of Denver in 1860. Family preceding him in death have been laid to rest in Denver’s Riverside Cemetery.
Brian is survived by his loving wife Kim, parents Jim Wells and Anne Knecht, brother William (Bill) and sister-in-law Julia. He was the adored, Uncle “Brain”, affectionately named by his niece Hadley (age 2 ½).
A celebration of life will be held Sunday August 22, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Spring Creeks Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado.
Many family and friends have asked how they can help. Brian would say: “Enjoy time with your family and friends in the outdoors and hug your dogs.” In leu of flowers, donations can be made, in Brian’s name, to the Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR). Those close to Brian were aware of his desire to provide for the future of his beloved niece. If you wish to support his dream or reach out to the family, please contact Kim at: kaz9608@gmail.com.
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