Frank Allen Traylor, IV

To know Frank was to love Frank, and to know Frank was to be loved by Frank. He carried the world’s biggest heart, a brilliant and curious mind, and a contagious smile that lit up not just every room, but every life.

From a young age, Frank was endlessly creative - building toy train layouts, ski jumps, and even a model of the Chrysler Building out of cookie dough. His mind was always churning, fascinated by history, machines, and ideas. Whatever captured his interest, Frank dove in completely. He researched, practiced, and learned every detail. With the enthusiasm of a Golden Retriever, he could talk for hours, teaching those around him about the next thing he had decided to master.

He found joy outdoors, especially in skiing and sailing. Skiing was his lifelong passion - he began at age two, later joined the Winter Park Freeride Team, and was often found in the terrain park with friends, filming ski edits or teaching others. Sailing brought him the same spark. What began as summer lessons at Dillon Lake grew into a love for sharing the sport, as he spent summers teaching younger sailors with the same patience and enthusiasm he brought to everything he loved.

Frank was drawn to the mountains. He earned his associate’s degree at Colorado Mountain College while skiing over 100 days each season. He continued his education at the University of Colorado Boulder where he earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. His love for learning and exploring was matched only by his love for those around him.

What stood out most about Frank was his kindness. He made people feel seen, valued, and loved. He shared his heart freely, giving pieces of it to everyone he met. It was never a surprise to lose track of him for an hour, only to find him deep in conversation with someone - friend, stranger, or most often his partner-in-crime and lifelong best friend, his sister Kacee.

His life revolved around connection. When he wasn’t having a heart-to-heart or sharing a laugh, he could be found winning over a dog’s love. Even the toughest pups melted around the so-called “dog whisperer.” Always happy to help and never asking for anything in return, he was the ultimate dog sitter.

Frank’s life was a gift. He will be remembered not just for his accomplishments, but for who he was: a gentle, brilliant, and compassionate soul who left an eternal mark on everyone lucky enough to know him.

Frank’s memory lives on in the hearts of his family: his parents Frank Allen Traylor III and Kathleen Kelble (Kiki) Traylor MD, his sister Kathleen Claire (Kacee) Traylor, his maternal grandmother Kathleen Cantine Kelble, and his paternal grandfather Frank Allen Traylor Jr MD. He was preceded in death his paternal grandmother Claire Guthrie Traylor and his maternal grandfather David Lawrence Kelble MD. Frank is also remembered with love by his extended family and countless friends whose lives he touched.

A Memorial Service and reception honoring Frank will be held on September 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122. The service will also be live-streamed and recorded, allowing family and friends to join virtually.

For those who would appreaciate viewing the Memorial service, the recording is available by using the following link which requires a simple registration: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=4f127637-97ed-4116-bb0d-c7847d1994be

A separate Celebration of Life will take place on September 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Level 1 Ski Productions, 916 Inca Street, Denver, CO 80204, where Frank’s friends and colleagues are invited to gather and share stories, photos, videos, laughter, and remembrance.

In honor of Frank’s love for dogs and skiing, the family has thoughtfully chosen three organizations for donations in his name:

Morris Animal Foundation (morrisanimalfoundation.org) - This organization funds groundbreaking research on many animals, with a special focus on dogs, including the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study on cancer. Colorado State University’s renowned veterinary program is among the recipients of its prestigious grants.

• Share Winter Foundation (sharewinterfoundation.org) - Dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through winter sports, including skiing. Share Winter supports more than 48,000 young people annually nationwide, with a significant presence in Colorado.
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• Mountain in My Mind  (mountaininmymind.com) / Sam Aden Kindness Foundation (gfmcentertable.com/giving-back/the-sam-aden-kindness-fund) - This is a unique opportunity to support Mountain in My Mind’s film series about mental health in ski towns. The 2026 film will feature a segment celebrating Frank’s life and love of skiing. When the film tours U.S. mountain towns and New Zealand in the Fall of 2026, proceeds will support local suicide prevention non-profits. Donations in Frank’s name may be made through the Sam Aden Kindness Fund, which provides grants to youth suicide prevention initiatives.