Obituary

Gary Kelton, longtime resident of Plainview, Tx passed away on Feb 5, 2023, 13 days prior to his 82nd birthday. Gary was born on Feb 18, 1941 in Ebensee, Austria. In 1947 he traveled to America with his mother Anna Lipp who was engaged to Elmer Kelton, a US army soldier that she and Gary met and fell in love with in 1945 while Elmer was stationed in Austria. Gary attended school in San Angelo, Tx and earned his US citizenship in 1952. He graduated from San Angelo Central High school in 1959.

Gary loved horses and spent every summer and school break cowboying with his granddad Buck Kelton on the McElroy ranch near Crane. His love for horses and ranch life influenced his decision to obtain an Animal Husbandry degree from Texas Tech. His degree and ranch experience led him to a career working in various cattle feedlots in the Texas panhandle. Gary spent his vacations exploring jeep trails in the mountains around Ouray, CO.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Elmer Kelton; brother, Steve Kelton; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R.W (Buck) Kelton and Mr. and Mrs. Alois Lipp. The mother of his children, Pat Guest Dickey, his second wife Carol Hinshaw and many beloved relatives from his Kelton family in Texas and his Lipp family in Austria.

Gary is survived by his son, Darrell Kelton of Plainview; daughter, Deborah Kelton Wooton and her significant other, Gary Martin of Solomon, KS; grandchildren, Tyler Rathbun (Ashley) of Salina, KS, Kindra Franks of Salina, KS, and Kelby Buchanan (Alan) of Midland, Tx. Great grandchildren Jaylah, Landon and Landry Buchanan and Ezra Franks; mother, Anna Kelton, sister, Kathy Kelton, both of San Angelo. He is also survived by his 4-legged companion, Dasher.

To honor Gary’s wishes, there will be no memorial service.