Gaylord "Corky" F. Kelton Obituary (1942 - 2016)

Gaylord "Corky" Fred Kelton, 73, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2016 at his home in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of three boys born to Katherine and Arden Kelton in Deadwood, South Dakota on December 24, 1942. Born in the midst of World War II, he was raised through hard and humbling times which helped to mold and define his strength of character. His family moved to Colorado for work, which is where he lost his father at the young age of 13. His family moved back home to Mercer, Wisconsin to live with family, where his mother continued to raise her three boys on her own. Corky was an outstanding athlete in High School, excelling in both baseball and football including becoming a starting pitcher. During his senior year, he suffered a shoulder injury playing football that ended his athletic career and scholarship hopes. He worked through the summer in a brickyard to help bring in money for the family and to pay his way through college. He enlisted in the Army Reserves and was called to active duty during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed in Washington dutifully serving his nation. After his service he returned back to school in California and then married Vicki Grenier. Corky was active in the Masonic lodge through his twenties and thirties, achieving Master Mason in his lodge in California. He had two children with his wife; daughter Tracey and son Jason. He had an incredible work ethic and held many jobs throughout his life to provide for his family, working nights or any shift or trade that would best put food on the table. At his very core he was an author and poet with a knack for telling wonderful stories. He was working on the second and third installments to a children’s novel trilogy at the time of his passing. He was a genuine, kind-hearted and selfless man and will be remembered for his incredible sense of humor and kindness. He was a devoted family man, not one to take to the limelight. He would always support and encourage his family throughout his life, never taking credit for his contributions for their achievements. He would always greet you with a smile and a joke. He had an infectious personality and was a "never met a stranger" kind of man, who would talk to and get to know everyone around him. He very much enjoyed life and conversations involving just about anything, especially Science Fiction, astronomy, politics, movies, science and world events. Corky is lovingly survived by his daughter, Tracey, his son, Jason, 11 grandchildren, and his older half-sister Jean. He was preceded in death by his parents Arden and Katherine, two brothers, Clint “Lee” Kelton, and Arden Kelton. He was very much loved and respected by his family and friends and will be greatly missed as he goes on his next “Greatest Adventure”. There are no formal services being held in Menomonie at this time.