In Memory Of
Allen Reid Kelso
1949
2021
Allen Reid Kelso
October 4, 1949 — March 13, 2021
Allen Reid Kelso, age 71, of Phoenix, passed away in the early morning of Saturday, March 13, 2021, at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. "Al"/ "Reid"/ "Bam"/ "Bammer" had lived most of his adventurous life in San Antonio, Texas, and recently moved back "home" to New York to be assisted by his immediate family in his fight against cancer.
Reid was born in Auburn, NY on October 4, 1949, the son of James Alsup Kelso and Margaret Johnston. He was an intelligent and hard-working man, full of wanderlust, who started out a full life of daring adventure at the early age of sixteen traveling to Bombay, India, aboard a grain cargo ship, and then shortly thereafter, joining the United States Marine Corps at seventeen to bravely serve as an 0311 Rifleman, during Vietnam, earning two purple hearts, an RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and other metals, and was lucky to return alive after being severely wounded, having served from 1968 to 1971.
Upon returning home from the war, he spent many years as a telephone, cable, and high-voltage power lineman for many years, stringing cable all across the eastern, western and southern United States, and even across the South Pole. An excellent lineman, he trained many other linemen over the years, and was very proud of his work and the people he trained along the way. He held many other jobs over the years, including pipeline work, construction, electrical, appliance, and even farming. Clearly skilled in many ways, he was always hard-working. Quick-witted with twinkling eyes, he loved to tell jokes and stories and spend time with his family outdoors (camping, hiking, walking, hunting, boating and especially fishing), reading, cooking, eating and sharing "snack-o's," and was always up for a road-trip on a sunny day. A great friend, he brought life and fun wherever he went, enjoying games of any sort and a love for music. In later days, he enjoyed sitting outside with his adopted "pets" and his plants in the bright sunny Texas heat talking with is neighbors.
Reid is survived by his 2 children: Molly K. Lamson (James) of Phoenix, and Todd A. Kelso of Mattydale; 4 grandchildren: James P. (Abby) Lamson, Thomas R. Lamson, William H. Lamson, Linda J. Kelso, his ex-wife Carol (Reakes) Huntley of Mattydale; 3 siblings: Joan E. "Beth" (Fred) McLean of San Jose, CA, Kandy (Tom) Kappler of Harpursville, NY, and Jim (Priscilla) Kelso of Mexico, NY; and other extended relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Judith L. "Judy" Jones.
Al is also survived by his long-term partner, Robbie Lee Gentry, who he met in San Antonio in 1997; and Robbie's 4 children: Deborah (Alvin) Robinson, George Gentry, and Darrel (Tonya) Gentry; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as "PawPaw," he was especially fond of his "buddies" who were his "granddaughter" Mattie Thomas and his "Great-Grandchildren": Antavion, Zominick, & Zianique. He was predeceased by his "son's" (Robbie's): George, Darrel Sr. and Dannye. "To be continued…"
No services will be held at this time.
To leave a message of condolence for Allen's family, or to share a special memory of Allen visit the guestbook below.
Reid was born in Auburn, NY on October 4, 1949, the son of James Alsup Kelso and Margaret Johnston. He was an intelligent and hard-working man, full of wanderlust, who started out a full life of daring adventure at the early age of sixteen traveling to Bombay, India, aboard a grain cargo ship, and then shortly thereafter, joining the United States Marine Corps at seventeen to bravely serve as an 0311 Rifleman, during Vietnam, earning two purple hearts, an RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and other metals, and was lucky to return alive after being severely wounded, having served from 1968 to 1971.
Upon returning home from the war, he spent many years as a telephone, cable, and high-voltage power lineman for many years, stringing cable all across the eastern, western and southern United States, and even across the South Pole. An excellent lineman, he trained many other linemen over the years, and was very proud of his work and the people he trained along the way. He held many other jobs over the years, including pipeline work, construction, electrical, appliance, and even farming. Clearly skilled in many ways, he was always hard-working. Quick-witted with twinkling eyes, he loved to tell jokes and stories and spend time with his family outdoors (camping, hiking, walking, hunting, boating and especially fishing), reading, cooking, eating and sharing "snack-o's," and was always up for a road-trip on a sunny day. A great friend, he brought life and fun wherever he went, enjoying games of any sort and a love for music. In later days, he enjoyed sitting outside with his adopted "pets" and his plants in the bright sunny Texas heat talking with is neighbors.
Reid is survived by his 2 children: Molly K. Lamson (James) of Phoenix, and Todd A. Kelso of Mattydale; 4 grandchildren: James P. (Abby) Lamson, Thomas R. Lamson, William H. Lamson, Linda J. Kelso, his ex-wife Carol (Reakes) Huntley of Mattydale; 3 siblings: Joan E. "Beth" (Fred) McLean of San Jose, CA, Kandy (Tom) Kappler of Harpursville, NY, and Jim (Priscilla) Kelso of Mexico, NY; and other extended relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister Judith L. "Judy" Jones.
Al is also survived by his long-term partner, Robbie Lee Gentry, who he met in San Antonio in 1997; and Robbie's 4 children: Deborah (Alvin) Robinson, George Gentry, and Darrel (Tonya) Gentry; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, who lovingly knew him as "PawPaw," he was especially fond of his "buddies" who were his "granddaughter" Mattie Thomas and his "Great-Grandchildren": Antavion, Zominick, & Zianique. He was predeceased by his "son's" (Robbie's): George, Darrel Sr. and Dannye. "To be continued…"
No services will be held at this time.
To leave a message of condolence for Allen's family, or to share a special memory of Allen visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Allen Reid Kelso, please visit our flower store.
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