Gene A Kelso, age 85, of Washington went home to be with his Lord and Savier on November 28, 2025 at Deaconess Memorial Hospital in Jasper.
Gene was born on September 16, 1940 in Alfordsville, Indiana to William Lloyd and Rena (McKinney) Kelso. He was married Linda (Brubaker) Kelso on June 27, 1987. He graduated from Sheilds High School in 1959 in Seymour and from Purdue University in 1964, retired from Indiana Department of Environmental Management as an Air Pollution Inspector. Gene was a US Army Veteran and was member Montgomery Christian Church, the Indiana National Guard, he was also a member of the Washington American Legion Post 121 and Washington Eagles. Gene loved reading, camping and spending time with family. He played electric guitar in many bands throughout his life, including the local gospel band, the Joyful Heirs. He loved all Purdue sports and shared that passion with all his kids and grandkids.
Those who are left to cherish Gene’s memory include his wife, Linda Kelso, his daughters; Tami Santiago of Tampa, Florida, and Andrea (Allen) Brown of Washington: two stepsons; Chris (Susan) Smith and Jeff (Angie) Smith: his grandchildren; Brooks ( Bri) Brown, JJ (Kendra) Brown, Kiersten Goodwin, Tyson Goodwin, and Madison Santiago, Lindsay Smith, Chelsea Baker, Logan Smith, Garrett Smith, Damon Smith and Sydni Smith. He also has 8 great-grandchildren.
During his lifetime, Gene mourned the passing of his father, William Lloyd Kelso and his mother, Rena Becker and a stepson, Greg Smith.
Visitation with Gene’s family will be from 9-11 am on Tuesday, December 2nd at Ed Lee Mortuary. Funeral will be at 11:00 am at the mortuary. Father Tyler Underhill will be celebrant with burial following at St. John Cemetery with full military rites by the Washington American Legion and VFW.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
