On April 10, 2017, heaven opened its doors to a great soul. Jerry Mac Kelsoe was truly one of a kind. He was of a disappearing breed who believed that with hard work, perseverance and his "keen little Kubota tractor", he could conquer the world, and in many ways he did. Along with his work ethic, he was kind, generous, accepting of others, and of unfailing good-humor. We will all miss his genius ability to fix anything with bailing wire and duct tape. He loved his family, his friends, and a good time.

Jerry Kelsoe was born in Tom Bean, Texas on June 17, 1937, the son of a farm family who struggled for their existence. His mother, Lola Hickox, rumored to be a descendant of "Wild Bill", died when Jerry was four years old, and father Homer Kelsoe died when Jerry was sixteen. His beloved Aunt Gladys took over and was a mother to him.  Times were hard in those days.  From a very early age, Jerry picked cotton, milked cows, and hoed the garden. If it rained, he couldn't go to school as the bus was unable to travel those muddy roads.  During these years, Jerry developed great admiration for the Conoco gasoline delivery man.  When he learned the Conoco man earned a whopping $10,000.00 a year, Jerry determined that this would be the job for him.

It was a happy day for Jerry when he left the farm to attend North Texas State University, being the second Kelsoe to attend college.  Around campus, he soon earned the nick- name, 'Jolly', and indeed he always was.  While at North Texas, Jerry met a local Denton girl, Patricia Pitner.  They married in 1960.  Jerry and Pat moved to Abilene where Jerry worked for Pillsbury Mills.  He was gifted and tenacious at selling flour, and in his first year earned "Salesman of the Year" honors. Jerry and Pat had two children, John Kevin Kelsoe and Kaylin Kelsoe Farmer.  Lured by Pat's father, Jerry agreed to move back to Denton to go into the Tractor business.  A few short years later, Jerry's life-long dream was fulfilled when he had an opportunity to buy a Conoco franchise which eventually became Kelsoe Oil Company.  As in all his endeavors, he was very successful. During these years, Jerry was a member of the Denton Optimist Club and the First Baptist Church.   In recent years, Jerry became a founding member of Access Bank and served as a valuable member on their board of directors.

Along with their two children, John and wife Lea, Kaylin and husband Bill Farmer, Jerry and Pat have six grandchildren, Kacy Kelsoe Wozniak, and husband Bryan, Kylie Kelsoe Lyles and husband Ryan, Austin and Aaron Kelsoe, Mikala and Zack Farmer, and two great grandsons, Kaden Kelsoe and Caleb Wozniak. Jerry is also survived by his brother, James Kelsoe and wife, Nelda, and two nieces, Kelli Kelsoe and Kristi Padilla.

The family will be at DeBerry Funeral Directors on Thursday night from 6-8 p.m. for visitation.  Funeral services will be Friday at 11:00 a.m., First Baptist Church of Denton with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Jerry would have appreciated donations be made to any organization that will help President Trump "Make America Great Again".