Chester Eugene Kelsey

Birth date: Apr 16, 1950 Death date: May 17, 2020

Chester Eugene Kelsey entered into his eternal home with the Lord on May 17, 2020. Chet, as he was known to friends and Gene, as he was known to his sisters, nieces and nephews, was born in Pasadena, CA, on April 16, 1950. Chet gr Read Obituary

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Kitch Martin

20w ago

I wrote the following soon after Chet's death now almost 5 years ago. I reread it today after reading his obituary and remembering him. I'm sharing it below in the hope that Chet will always be available in prayer as he was as a neighbor.

Covid killed him, a gregarious neighbor
conversing often across our fence. I didn’t know him well nor was I so inclined. Casual was enough.

Suddenly Chet was gone and I shocked and saddened not to have tried harder to know him. His wife Jackie remained next door,
our only acquaintance over the plants I watered while they vacationed. How to say I was sorry to someone I didn’t know?

Then I felt again my grief over my sister’s suicide and spoke that to Jackie. We are friends now, she and I walking together and talking of the worlds we share. She often speaks of Chet. I am getting to know him better.

We grieve because we have loved.

Kitch Martin

20w ago

in honor of Chester.

Kitch Martin lit a candle in memory of Chester Kelsey

A large, lit white candle with a subtle wax drip on a beige background, accompanied by a white and pink paper flower on the right side.

Lynnette Lubrant

273w ago

Chet was such a great friend during the few years I knew him. He was an infrequent customer in the business my husband and I had at the time in Altadena. Chet and I and some others started bicycling to get in shape, being some of 'older ' crowd, and we also started running, usually laughing our heads off much of the time, as we struggled. He helped tremendously when I got the idea to put on a 5K run, and helped to form our committee, and organized things with the Sheriff's Dept. We made it a fund raiser for the lights in Christmas Tree Lane. Anything you asked Chet to do, he did. Such a giving human being! At the time of the earthquake, I had so much damage, but the SBA loan would not approve the repairs that needed to be done. Chet looked at the loan they offered, and said not to worry, he could get it all done under th loan amount. I am sure he was again just being Chet, and went above and beyond. Finally, not long before.I moved to Montana, I was without a marriage, or job. It was nothing at all for Chet to suddenly tell me that he needed a helper, he only had Juan, and they were too busy. The next thing I knew, I was missing mud, and setting tile! I knew God was looking out for me, but he had sent me his angel to help out. Just having come back from a hike, Chet crossed my mind, and I did a Google search, not knowing why. Now I know. I am blessed to have known Chet those years, and I am so grateful to read that he was so loved, as he so deserved.

Geri And Mark Northey

278w ago

Chet was one of the warmest and kindest people that we had ever met. He was always smiling and we enjoyed chatting with him frequently at our church greeting time and in the lobby after service. We will always remember him as someone who had the joy of the Lord in his heart. It is with deep sadness to us that Chet was taken so suddenly, but we do know that he is with his Lord and Savior now.
May God give peace and comfort to Jacqueline and her family in this time of loss.
Geri & Mark Northey

Joseph Vecchio

278w ago

in honor of Chester.

A lighted pale blue candle with a small white flower and a few leaves at its base, set against a soft blue background.

Roberta Hunter Morris

279w ago

We are so happy we were able to meet Chet at our family reunion. He was such a lovely person. Sorry we didnt have more time. The family will always be in our prayers

Love cousins, David & Roberta Hunter Morris.

Aurora

279w ago

I recited the Holy Rosary for my dear brother-in- Chet who was more like a brother to me. May he find rest in the Lord. He will be truly missed by so many.

Larry Tilford

279w ago

Chet was a really good man and an even better friend. I'll miss him tremendously. But I'm so happy he had years with Jacqueline in retirement and some time to pursue his passions. Loveya, man!

Barbara Ann Chestnutt

279w ago

in honor of Chester.

A lit candle with a soft flame, surrounded by small white flowers and green leaves, set against a warm yellow background.

Edmund Reitz

279w ago

Chet and I became good friends during my nearly 30 year stay at Altadena Baptist Church. We enjoyed going on several weekend family camps in the mountains and always had a good time talking about life and its many facets. My one humorous memory of Chet was his vivid description of a football game in which he tried to make a tackle on a famous running back from the opposing high school. I don't remember the year, but it was John Muir against Blair in the late '60s'. when the famous Blair Pair (James McAlister and Kermit Johnson) played for that championship team. Chet described in great detail grabbing and hanging on to McAlister, and being carried along, all the while getting hit in the chin by the knees of the big back. Even in a moment like this, Chet could recount and laugh about playing his heart out with only limited success. In many other ways, though, Chet was thoughtful, thorough, and certainly kind to those around him. The Lord used him fully during his life and now he rests on the other side with Jesus. I look forward to seeing you again, my brother.

Ed Reitz
Hemet, CA

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