Kiley Ziegler

Kiley Eugene Ziegler, beloved husband, father, friend and physician passed away unexpectedly of cardiac arrest on May 8, 2024.  With broken hearts, his family members say goodbye to this kind-hearted, soft-spoken, gentle man.  

          Kiley was born on January 31, 1978 in Logan, Utah to Alan and Sharron Ziegler, the youngest of four siblings: Lori, Jamison and Nickole.  He was raised in a loving family that learned to work hard and enjoy the outdoors.  Kiley attended Pinedale High School where he participated in football, basketball, track and even the marching/concert band.  After high school he began his college education at the University of Wyoming.

          From 1997-1999 Kiley took a break from his education to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Missouri Independence Mission, serving the people of the greater Kansas City area.

          Upon his return, he continued his education at the University of Wyoming, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology.  While there, Kiley met Jamie Burke, a member of the UW volleyball team from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, who would become his cherished wife, and there they would begin their life of adventure together.  Kiley and Jamie married in the Vernal Utah Temple on a very snowy, blustery day, January 12, 2001. 

          Kiley pursued a career in medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine, where Brandin Eugene was born in September 2002 and Tayler Avery was born in August 2005 and he graduated in 2008.  Kiley completed an orthopedic residency at the University of Missouri at Kansas City from 2008 to 2013. It was there that they welcomed Alexis Ryann in May of 2010.  Following residency, Kiley completed a fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Louisville/Christine M. Kleinert Institute for Hand and Microvascular Surgery in Louisville, Kentucky, from 2013 to 2014, specializing in “Hand, and Upper Extremity.” 

          Kiley took his first position post-training in Grants Pass, Oregon. He and Jamie focused on raising their three amazing children and building his medical practice. Their favorite activities have always been supporting their kids in sports–basketball, volleyball, swimming, gymnastics, and climbing. Jamie and Kiley were always their kids’ biggest cheerleaders!

            Kiley has spent much of his life serving others in some capacity. He served within his family as a dedicated husband, father, sibling and son, within his church through various leadership and youth leader positions, and in the community as a dedicated surgeon and community supporter.

          Kiley was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending as much time outdoors as possible, whether that was hiking, fishing, running or traveling.  Kiley and Jamie loved visiting Hawaii together, Kauai being their favorite island to visit, where they would enjoy many a Hawaiian shave ice and would always try to find a new adventure.  Hiking the Napali Coast was a treasured experience they shared. Kiley loved fishing and cherished his trips to Alaska to fish with his dad, brother, son,  nephews and friends.  Kiley always had to have the right gear and was known for the fancy gear he would bring along on these trips.

          One of the things Kiley enjoyed most was watching, playing and especially officiating basketball.  His family jokes that he would spend more time watching the officials in a basketball game than he would the actual game, making sure they were making the right calls.  As an official himself, Kiley was never afraid of making the right call, no matter the crowd reaction.

          Being a Wyoming boy, Kiley loved a good hike–any place, any time, anywhere.  This was a love NOT passed down to his children, as a hike usually elicited much moaning and complaining from them.  And to him, a good hike was never complete without a “dorky” selfie.

          Kiley loved fancy athletic shoes, nice clothes, cool sunglasses and finding the next up and coming clothing or shoe brand on Instagram.  His children say he discovered Vuori before everyone else discovered Vuori.

          More than anything, Kiley loved spending as much time as possible with his family, and they adored him.   Kiley is known by his family, friends, peers, and patients for his calm strength, warm demeanor, even temperament and kind tone. He showed that same kindness and peace to everyone he met. His impact leaves a deep hole in the heartbeat of this community, and he will forever be missed.

            Kiley was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Helen and Eugene Ziegler, and maternal grandparents, Bruce Hymas and Duveen and Ron Gunter.  He is survived by his beautiful wife Jamie, his amazing children Brandin (21), Tayler (18), and Alexis (14); his parents Sharron and Alan Ziegler of Pinedale, WY; his siblings, Lori (Nathan) Emery of Belleair, Florida; Nickole (Travis) Tanner, and Jamison (Trisha) Ziegler of Pinedale, WY; and 32 nieces and nephews.

            A Memorial Service for Kiley will be held the evening of May 16 at 7 PM at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 1969 Williams Hwy.  There will also be a viewing that morning from 11 AM-1:00 PM at 1969 Williams Hwy.

          Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 19 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 221 East North Street, Pinedale, Wyoming. Interment will follow at the Pinedale Cemetery, 73 Fremont Lake Road, Pinedale, Wyoming.

          In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the “Kiley Ziegler Children College Fund.”