Bob Beise and Frank Dekker

Gerald Edward Kelso was born March 9, 1935 in Spokane, WA to Alvin and Pearl Kelso who preceded him in death. He attended Cheney High School and graduated in 1954. Shortly after graduating he enlisted in the United States Navy Seabees. He took his basic training at Treasure Island, CA. After basic training he was stationed in the Philippines and Midway. In 1957 he was honorably discharged. A few days later, at a friend’s get-together, he met Mary “Connie” Snider and 1½  years later, they got married on June 27, 1979.

Jerry attended Eastern Washington University, Fine Arts and two years at Spokane trade school for technical illustrating. In 1966 he got a job with Boeing as a technical illustrator and on August 2, 1966 he moved his family from Spokane, WA to Kirkland, WA. He next worked at Western Gear as a technical illustrator. In 2001 he retired from Nicholson Manufacturing, ending his 34-year career as a technical illustrator/draftsman.

Jerry was active in the community. He served as a Eucharistic minister for approximately 30 years. He was a member of the NMRA and helped build the Tabooma County Railroad and in 2005, he received the 4th Division’s Golden Spike Award.  Jerry served as the “postman” for the 4th Division’s Grab Iron for many years, delivering the addressed and folded newsletters to the USPS bulk mail delivery site.

He was an active member of the 4D HO Modular Group, with two modules, from the early days of the modular program until his health prevented his participation at the standard that he held for himself. Jerry recruited Bob Beise into the program in 1989; Bob later served as leader of the group for several years. One of Jerry’s modules was displayed at the evening reception/memorial program. His modules will go to his two eldest grandsons.

He liked man outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, hiking (including climbing to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainier), collecting rocks, and spending time at the family property in the mountains.

Jerry and Connie liked to travel taking many trips to Maui, cruising the Caribbean, national parks, and Victoria BC. Jerry also took a solo trip to Yellowstone, Custer State Park, Minnesota to see Annette and family, Tennessee to see his sisters, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Oregon to see Ken and family.

Surviving family members include his loving wife of 53 years Connie Kelso, daughter Annette and husband Evan Hopkins of Burnsville, MN and son Ken and wife Kristi Kelso of Salem, OR. He has four grandchildren and one great grandchild.