Kyle John O’Bare, age 47, born August 25, 1978, passed away on July 17, 2026, at home in Nederland, Colorado.
It was a treasured gift for Kyle’s family and friends to experience his optimistic outlook for the 22 years he lived with brain cancer. And they reveled in his good nature and exuberance for life over the previous quarter century he lived without cancer.
For 22 years, Kyle did not allow cancer to define him. The diagnosis was an unexpected detour, but cancer did not keep him from following his passions:
His Desire for Meaningful and Lasting Relationships
His Love for Animals and Insects
His Quest for Exhilarating Outdoor Pursuits
His Uncanny Ability to Nurture Plants (some legal)
His Unwavering Mission to Protect the Planet
Since his youth, Kyle had a wide-eyed-wonder approach to living. His free spirit shined as brightly as his yellow dreadlocks. He had an ultra-laid-back temperament, and he said “yes” to every adventure. Kyle carved an untraditional path, displaying compassion and joy every step of the way. He gave every person — from soulmates to strangers — his full attention, making every person feel significant and valued. Kyle changed the direction of many lives. He had space in his heart for family, friends, and misguided souls.
Given 3-6 months to live at the age of 26 in 2004, Kyle did not view the prognosis as an end-of-life sentence or even a challenge. Kyle did not complain or want sympathy. He never used the word “fight” when discussing the disease. To Kyle, cancer was never a battle, never a win-or-lose situation. In his words, he was just “riding the waves” through life.
The word “survivor” was not part of Kyle’s vocabulary. For 22 years, he did not survive cancer. He thrived despite it, thanks to his indomitable spirit and positivity, and the incredible love and support of his loving and relentless wife, Rachel.
Kyle will be greatly missed by Rachel, his loving wife of six years, and Willow, their rambunctious 2-year-old pit bull, and his family and friends across the world.
