Kim Evans Kelsik's Obituary
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Kim Evans Kelsik passed away peacefully with love and care from his family. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 7, 1936, to Dorothy and William Kelsik, who preceded his death. He lived in Columbus, Ohio for most of his life, graduating from Upper Arlington High School in 1955 and then from The Ohio State University in 1960 with a degree in Real Estate. He was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta where he developed many lifelong friendships. While in high school and college, Kim served 6 years in the Ohio National Guard, earning an honorable discharge in 1960. He worked in the financing and mortgage banking field for many years before starting his own highly successful residential development company, Kim Kelsik Builders. In his post-retirement years, Kim started his dream job at The Andersons in Columbus in the Loss Prevention division, working his way up to Department Head and committing over a decade of time at this company. Even as a manager, he most enjoyed posing as a customer, wandering the store aisles with his shopping cart, and “catching criminals” in the act of shoplifting.
Kim was an avid home cook and loved to entertain others with his “secret” recipes. He enjoyed traveling and was especially fond of Hilton Head Island, SC, where he owned a summer home in Sea Pines and came to be known as the “Sand Dollar King.” Most of his favorite memories were from time spent in Hilton Head with his children, as well as on other vacations or cross-country road trips. Kim also loved college football and could always be found in his favorite recliner watching the Buckeyes on Saturdays. He enjoyed actions movies, especially the James Bond franchise, and listened to his favorite songs from Neil Diamond daily. He had many friends throughout his life and particularly looked forward to attending his high school reunions. Kim also loved his many pets and held special bonds with his husky, Bandit, and his most beloved cat, Silky.
Kim is survived by his four children, Sarah Kelsik, Anne Ramirez, Elizabeth Kelsik and Michael Kelsik and his grandchildren, Savannah Foley, Evan Bay, Cooper Bay, and Morgan Conrad. He is also survived by his older sister Kay Hoagland, niece Susan Harper and nephew Steve Hoagland, as well as many grandnieces and nephews, as well as cousins. He is predeceased by his younger sister, Karel Barney.
Kim will be cremated at Evergreen Mortuary and Crematory in Tucson, AZ and his ashes scattered by his children and their families in a private gathering next summer.
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