Kaiden Ray Henley

Kaiden Ray "Ray Ray" Henley, age 5, was taken from his family far too soon on Saturday, August 20, 2011, in Ephrata, WA, while he was doing what he loved most; spending time with his family and friends and riding his pedal bike. Kaiden was born to John and Shelby Henley on January 25, 2006, in Wenatchee, WA. Kaiden was a mirror image of his daddy, John, and was his daddy's little buddy. He had his mommy's quick personality and was a little spitfire. He was happiest by their side, no matter what it was they were doing. Kaiden had a sweet and loving heart. He always would tell his mom and dad how beautiful they were, maybe not understanding that he was one of the most beautiful things they had ever laid their eyes on, and one of the greatest achievements of their lives. Kaiden, you were your brother, Dominic's best friend and wrestling partner, always together, inseparable. Your brother, Austin, wants you to know that you are the best little brother a kid could have, the happiest little boy, and you will be in his heart no matter what. I love you, bud. Your sister, Alicia, says she will miss you being her little partner and that she loved playing soccer with you. They will all miss you, begging them to let you slumber in their room, just so you didn't have to sleep in yours, only to find that you had gotten up in the night to sleep with mom and dad, and were now watching cartoons with them as you always loved to do. Kaiden had developed special relationships with his family, each one of them having a special friend in him and special memories to last a lifetime. He called his Nana his little love bug and always knew how to make her smile. If Kaiden ever knew someone was hurting, he would go out of his way to offer a kind word and show them affection. Kaiden was a bright star whose smile was contagious and whose presence made everyone feel happy. Kaiden had a way with the ladies; he could steal your heart. He was a little flirt, who could get whatever he wanted with his smile. Kaiden was everyone's friend and he always made you feel special to know him, and if you did know him, it was special. At sports, Kaiden was a leader, a natural. He was signed up for fall soccer this year and his mom was coaching him. At hoops, he was an outside shooter and a very accurate shot. He had mastered Pika Peak this year at Mission Ridge and, in June, had biked the loop trail with his Papa David for the first time, shortly after removing his training wheels. He made it the whole 13 miles without a complaint, his Papa remembered; that's just how Kaiden was. Kaiden loved going to Grandma Petersen's to watch 'monster movies' and put puzzles together and sneak and eat all of Grandma's candy. He enjoyed going to the gun club with his Papa Greg to shoot his chipmunk rifle and was looking forward to the time that he would reach the age that he would be old enough to join the Junior Small Bore program. Kaiden had gotten the chance to travel some in his five years and at age two, he traveled to El Tule, Mexico to visit his Papa Concho for 15 days, something his papa will never forget. While there, he got to experience riding a dancing horse, which most likely inspired his love for animals. Definitely all boy, he loved to play in the mud and roll over rocks to find rolly pollies. Kaiden loved to go camping, swimming, biking, and anything that involved the outdoors. Kaiden loved to sing as well, and car trips were filled with his small voice singing along to his favorite song on the radio. Kaiden was loved by his preschool teachers and classmates. He was looking forward to starting kindergarten this year at Lee Elementary and being a big boy like his brother, Dominic. One of Kaiden's best friends was his dog, Gizmo. He will miss you so. Kaiden, although your time here on earth has come to pass, we know that we will one day be able to hold you in our arms again. We are so proud of the little boy you became and we feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to love you and have you in our lives. We loved being your family, and we will always love you, Ray Ray! He is survived by his parents, John and Shelby Henley of East Wenatchee; one sister, Alicia Henley (14); two brothers, Austin Henley (13) and Dominic Henley (7); grandparents, "Papa" Tracy and Grandma Lori Petersen of Wenatchee and special friend, Paul Armstrong, "Papa" David and Linda "Nana" Mundy of Wenatchee, "Papa" Greg Kelmis of Cashmere and "Papa" Concho Garcia of Mexico; great-grandmothers, Holly Wickersham of East Wenatchee, Connie Fox of Wenatchee and Wanda Kelmis of Seattle; cousins, Kyelee and Taylor Bitterman and Noah and Ethan Fogelstrom; aunts, Leslie "LaLa" Bitterman, Erika Fogelstrom, Trina Garcia-Henley, Kalie Bender and Tiffany Prazer; uncles, Mike Bitterman, Sean Fogelstrom, Robert Bender and Nick Prazer; great-aunts, Jeanna Segle, Selina Braun, Connie Riley, Kathleen Phythian, Lori Stewart, Jamie Williams and Sylvia Kelmis; great-uncles, Dale Segle, Brett Phythian of Cashmere, Greg Stewart of East Wenatchee, Dan Wickersham of East Wenatchee, Victor Kelmis of Bothel and Kevin Williams of Tukwila; and countless aunts, uncles, great-cousins, friends and extended family. A Public Memorial will be held Sunday, August 28, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. at the Town Toyota Center, with Graveside Services to be held Monday morning. The Henley Family wishes to invite all who wish to attend a Celebration of Kaiden's Life to join us at Lincoln Park on Monday, August 29, 2011, from Noon until 10:00 p.m. Flowers may be sent to Telford's Chapel of the Valley.