Kelcey Keim

Kelcey Keim, husband, son and faithful friend departed this world on December 13, 2016. He was 41 years old.

Kelcey was born at Cottage Hospital on September 6, 1975 and was raised in Santa Barbara by his beloved mother Judy Keim who taught him a deep love for the outdoors, animals and an endless compassion for all types of people. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1993.

Kelcey’s love for traveling and the beach led him to move to Maui, Hawaii in 1999. There he attended Maui Community College and made life long friends while expanding his love for the culinary arts, surfing and the beach.

Upon returning to Santa Barbara he continued his love of cooking and worked and many restaurants in town. This is also how and where he met the love of his life and best friend Valerie Ekern in 2004. They were married at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on January 27, 2014.

Kelcey was a faithful friend who always brought humor and kindness to everyone he met. He inspired and taught many friends and young chefs the love of food and art of cooking. He will be remembered as a skater, surfer, light pole dancer, expert beach packer and the best Velociraptor impersonator that ever lived!

He is survived by his wife Valerie Ekern, long time family friend Vickey Ford, his step father Donnie Hammock, his many family members on the East Coast, and a vast and eclectic group of many lifelong friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother Judy Keim and his Father Mario Perell.

A celebration of his life will be held at Lookout Park in Summerland CA from 1-sunset on January 21.