Gary Lee Kelso was born on April 14th, 1948, in Russell, Kansas to Dorothy and Olin Kelso. Gary passed away on February 12, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 76 with his family by his side. He has one older brother, and one younger brother, Ronnie and Phil. Gary was raised in Sterling, Kansas where he graduated from high school in 1967. He had many good friends from Sterling that he was very close to. Sterling was a wonderful community to be raised in.

In 1969, Gary was driving through the parking lot of Sterling College, and he stopped to talk to a girl he noticed walking back to her dorm. This began a three-year dating relationship. In 1972, he married Barb Irwin, and they were married for 52 wonderful years.

Gary attended Hutchinson Junior College in Hutchinson, Kansas and Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. In 1975, Barb and Gary moved to Edmond, Oklahoma where he began his career with Phillips Petroleum Company. Barb and Gary moved several times because each move was a promotion for Gary. They moved from Edmond to Hinton to Mustang in Oklahoma and then moved to Great Bend, Kansas where they were able to live for 11 years. They made one more move to Guymon, Oklahoma where they lived for 12 years. When Phillips merged with Conoco, Gary decided it was time to retire after working for Phillips for 24 years. He was lucky to retire at 54 years of age. One proud moment for Gary was his role in working with Phillips to donate funds to Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) for their canine drug dog. They named the dog "KELSO" and Gary became an honorary member of the OHP. After living in Guymon, they made one last move to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where they have made their home for the last 22 years.

Barb and Gary have been fortunate to live within 6 miles of their 3 children and 5 grandchildren. They have been able to see every one of them grow up, as they moved to OKC when their grandson, Hunter, was 6 weeks old.

Gary is survived by his wife Barb and children Kristi (Rob) and their children Hunter and Hannah, Lindsi (John) and their children Brixton, Brinlee and Brady, and their son Kevin. Gary is proceeded in death by his mother and father, Olin and Dorothy, his sister-in-law Patty Kelso, and his grandparents, JC and Berla Ricketts.

We would like to thank Cornerstone Caregiving, especially Michelle and Tracy for their wonderful care. We would also like to thank Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care, especially his nurses Amber, Deanna, Ella and Jennifer and his CNA Latrell.

Gary's celebration of life will be on February 17th, 2025, at Vondel Smith Mortuary South Lakes (Oklahoma City) at 2:00PM. Gary's graveside/family service will be before the celebration at 1:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, we would like donations to be made to: Healthy Schools Oklahoma (6800 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008).

Gary loved watching KU basketball and Kansas City Chiefs football. If you have a favorite sports shirt or jersey to wear to his celebration, Gary would love that.