BRADENTON BEACH – Kyle Shell’s Saturday, Dec. 28 fundraising celebration of life raised $6,074 to help his 17-year-old daughter, Kaya Sage Shell, attend college in hopes of becoming a doctor.
Additional donations given directly to Kyle Shell’s mom, Gayden Shell, brought the day’s fundraising total to $8,074.
On Dec. 20, Bunny & Pirates Bazaar owners Elizabeth Shore and Jeffrey O’Connell hosted a benefit at their Cortez establishment that raised $1,000 for Kaya Shell.
All totaled, the extended Anna Maria Island community has raised $10,539 for Kaya’s future college education.
Kyle Shell, 42, passed away at his Bradenton Beach home on Dec. 3 as a result of heart failure.
Planned and coordinated by Sarah Santos, Courtney McGough, Chase Purtill and others, the Saturday, Dec. 28 celebration of life and fundraiser took place at the Sports Lounge and the Drift In in Bradenton Beach.
Local businesses donated the multitude of gift cards, gift certificates, gift baskets, cruise packages and more that were on display inside the Sports Lounge as part of the silent auction and raffles.
The Sports Lounge donated this gift basket filled with Kyle Shell’s favorites. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
There was also a 50/50 drawing and several people who bought tickets wrote Kyle Shell on their tickets instead of their own names. This resulted in the late Kyle Shell winning the $1,500 drawing that was donated to his daughter.
Kyle Shell’s former Tangled Mangos bandmate, Mike Cunningham, won the Kyle Shell-inspired gift basket donated by Sports Lounge and filled with two bottles of Fireball whiskey, a bottle of Evan Williams bourbon, four cans of Diet Coke and a pack of Parliament cigarettes.
Inside the Drift In, folks lined up and gladly handed volunteer Trey Powers $5 in exchange for a plate of food from the bountiful buffet donated and prepared by several local restaurants. The food offerings included Thai snapper nuggets, shrimp cocktail, chicken wings, black bean soup, seafood gumbo, pulled pork, pasta, brats, chili, salads and more.
Outside in the Drift In parking lot, Dos-Macs members Mike McConnell and Mack Black provided the musical entertainment, joined by special guests Mike Cunningham on percussion and Rich Dugan and Steve Paradis on guitars and vocals.
Kaya Shell traveled from Colorado with her mom, Mariah Hofmeister, to attend the fundraiser. They were joined by several other family members who also traveled to Anna Maria Island.
“It’s good to see how many people loved my dad and how many lives he impacted,” Kaya Shell said during the final hour of the afternoon event.
At the time, it was estimated approximately $5,000 had already been raised for her.
“Wow, that’s awesome,” Kaya said.
A few minutes later, Gayden Shell said, “Seeing this done for my son is the most humbling thing I’ve ever seen. I’m thankful to everyone that’s come out. Kaya’s going to be able to go to college and that’s what we did this for. This means as much to her and her family as it does to me.”
On Sunday, Sarah Santos said, “I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support shown for Kyle. Our tight-knit community truly comes together when called upon. Thank you to all the local businesses for their generous donations, thanks to the volunteers and thanks to all who came out to support Kyle and his family. It really was a true testament to the loved man he was.”
Contained in this wooden box, some of Kyle Shell’s ashes were spread in Longboat Pass. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Ashes and flowers
At 10 a.m. that morning, 28 friends and family members gathered along the bay at the southeast end of Coquina Beach. Assembled in a circle and holding hands, they shared a silent prayer and spoken memories of Kyle Shell.
Gayden Shell spread some of her son’s ashes in Longboat Pass before the benefit began. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
The group then walked under the Longboat Pass Bridge and gathered along the shoreline where Gayden Shell entered Longboat Pass to spread some of her son’s ashes while Kaya and others tossed flowers petals into the water.
Friends and family members gathered in tribute to Kyle Shell at Longboat Pass on Saturday, Dec., 28. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
BRADENTON BEACH – Anna Maria Island lost a larger than life personality when Kyle Shell passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Kyle was 42 when he died peacefully at the Bradenton Beach home he and his mom, Gayden Shell, shared. He had been sick and had recently been hospitalized with heart issues.
As a singer, guitarist, percussionist and digital looper, Kyle became a fixture of the Island’s music scene after he and Gayden moved to Bradenton Beach eight years ago. He was a founding member of Tangled Mangos and Phunk It and he also performed solo.
Word of Kyle’s passing spread quickly and that day dozens of his friends started sharing photographs, memories and expressions of sorrow and love on Facebook – including several posts at the Island Ratz Unite Facebook page Kyle administered.
Kyle Shell and his mom, Gayden Shell, were also best friends. – Gayden Shell | Submitted
Later that day, Gayden posted a message that included these comments: “This morning, Kyle fell asleep at home after a long painful illness and peacefully passed away. He spent his last week with his daughter Kaya, his pride and joy. He couldn’t have been happier. Thank you so much for loving Kyle.”
That night, many of Kyle’s friends wound up at the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach, where toasts were made and shots drank in his honor.
“We could feel your presence all around us. Tears were shed, but the laughter, oh the laughter… Sharing a Kyle story isn’t just a story: Your tales are EPIC, and will live on forever my friend,” Tide Tables bartender Staci Wilkinson wrote on her Facebook page.
Kyle Shell still had a seat at the Sports Lounge after he passed away. – Courtney McGough | Submitted
“This Island has lost one of the most tremendous human beings I’ve ever come in contact with. Kyle’s bigger than life personality, heart, smile and hugs will be missed. He was part of the Sports’ family,” bartender Courtney McGough said.
Family ties
On Thursday, Gayden discussed Kyle’s passing.
“The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the cardiologist wanted to put him back in the hospital and Kyle said, ‘No, I have to see my daughter.’ ”
His daughter, Kaya Sage Shell, is 17 and lives in Colorado.
“He knew he was dying. He got to spend five days with us. He got his turkey sandwich. Several people came over to see him and he talked to a lot of people. I think he was preparing people,” Gayden said.
“We said goodbye to him early Tuesday morning, before I took Kaya to the airport. I said I wanted a big hug and he kissed me on the cheek. I told Kaya to come get a hug. I told her it might be the last time.”
When Gayden returned from the airport she discovered Kyle had passed.
“I wasn’t real surprised. He had heart failure. He laid down and his heart stopped. He went peacefully and there was no pain. He waited for Kaya to leave,” she said.
Late Saturday afternoon, more than 50 people joined Gayden for a sunset gathering at Coquina Beach.
Kyle Shell’s friends and loved ones gathered at Coquina Beach on Saturday, Dec. 7. – Roque Pastorius | Submitted
A celebration of life and a fundraiser for Kaya’s college education will take place at the Drift In on Saturday, Dec. 28. Online donations can be made at the “In Memory of Kyle Shell” GoFundMe page.
“I know he would love that,” Gayden said.
On Sunday, Kaya said via text, “My Daddy was the most brilliant, funny, and caring person I’ve ever known. He brought light into so many people’s lives and now the world is darker without him in it. He inspired me to fall in love with music and singing. He made me fall in love with sushi, Harry Potter and video games. He taught me to use Twizzlers as straws at the movies and how to catch fish on my grandma’s pontoon boat. I will always miss him. I wish I could have learned so many more things from him, but I know he will be watching over me and guiding me through life’s ups and downs.”
Friends react
“The most important things to Kyle were his friends and his family. He loved to have a good time and he lived life to the fullest. You couldn’t ask for a better friend,” business owner and City Commissioner Jake Spooner said.
Kyle Shell loved playing music, and he loved his Kansas City Chiefs. – Facebook | Submitted
“There are friends, there is family, and there are friends that become family. And that’s Kyle for most of us. Many people have walked through my life, but there will be very few that leave a footprint like he did,” longtime friend Dan Barto said after flying in from Colorado.
“We hired his band for several shows at DCoy Ducks. Although I met Kyle through his music, it was his personality and happy-go-lucky attitude that drew me to him as a friend. We attended concerts and music festivals and partied like there was no tomorrow. He was a big man with a big heart. His music, personality and spirit will be greatly missed on the Island,” bartender Brad Lisk said.
Kyle Shell was a master percussionist. – Facebook | Submitted
“Kyle was bigger than life. When you saw Kyle, you knew instantly that life was better,” Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker said.
Nicole Heslop and her husband Jon Westergard used to own and operate the Barefoot Tiki Bar in Holmes Beach, where the Tangled Mangos often performed.
“Kyle will always hold a special spot in our hearts. His music was a major part of the Barefoot Tiki and his playlist will never be forgotten,” Heslop said.
Dan Ryan and Kyle Shell performed together as Tangled Mangos. – Dan Ryan | Submitted
In 2012, Kyle and keyboardist Dan Ryan formed Tangled Mangos and spent three years playing on and around the Island. They also played music festivals and out of town venues.
“Kyle loved music. He was a master at percussion and live looping and he could improvise lyrics with ease. He was fearless. The fun began when Kyle showed up. He loved giving people rides in his golf cart. Kyle was a big guy with a big personality, a big laugh, a big voice, big talent and a big heart. I loved him and I will miss him,” Ryan said.
Jim Kyle Shell
Jim Kyle Shell, 42, passed away peacefully at his Bradenton Beach, Fl. home on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The cause of death was heart failure.
Kyle is survived by his mother Dorace Gayden Miller Shell, currently of Bradenton Beach; his daughter Kaya Sage Shell of Longmont, Co.; and his half-brother Jeff Paz, of Philadelphia, Pa.
Kyle was preceded in death by his father Jim Shell of Stillwell, Ok. and his cousin Will Miller of Pittsburg, Kan.
Kyle is survived by his aunts and uncles Faith and Dick Coleman and Richard and Nancy Miller of Pittsburg, Kan., Carolyn and Bill Stowers of Little Rock Ark., Connie Shell, Jerry Shell and Kathy Littledave of Stilwell. Ok. and several cousins.
Kyle was born June 2, 1977, at the Claremore Indian Hospital in Claremore, Ok. and he was very proud of his Cherokee Indian heritage. Kyle attended Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kan., the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan. and he was a life-long student at the “school of hard knocks.”
Kyle was once named the Citizen of the Year Award by the Pittsburg YMCA and he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
During his lifetime Kyle lived in Pittsburg and Lawrence, Kan., Grand Junction and Fort Collins Co., Crystal River and St Petersburg, Fl. and most recently in Bradenton Beach.
Kyle worked as a river raft guide on the Rio Grande River in Creede, Co., as a ski instructor at the Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Mesa, Co., as a first mate for the BoatU.S. marine towing service, and as a disabled group home caregiver in Inverness, Fl.
Kyle was a self-taught professional musician who sang, played guitar and percussion and created the live guitar, percussion and vocal loops that made him a “looper.” Kyle performed with Gracious Grooves, Buffalo Strange, Cope, Dim Applz, Tangled Mangoes and Phunk It. He also performed solo as The Kyle Shell and occasionally as a D.J. using the moniker D.J. Half Shell. Many of Kyle’s musical performances can be viewed on YouTube.
On Saturday, Dec. 28, some of Kyle’s cremated remains will be spread in the Gulf of Mexico and there will be a celebration of life and a benefit for Kaya at the Drift In, in Bradenton Beach. Kyle’s final resting place will be alongside family in Pittsburg, Kan.
A GoFundMe account has been established to assist with Kaya’s continuing education and her desire to become a pediatrician. Online donations can be made at the “In Memory of Kyle Shell” GoFundMe page: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-kyle-shell.
Condolences can be shared at the Brown and Sons Funeral Home website, www.brownandsonsfuneral.com and via social media on Facebook. The family requests no flowers be sent.
