David Ray Kelsey

David Ray Kelsey, Okemah resident, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at his home, at the age of 68.  David was born on December 30, 1954 at Camp Chaffee in Fort Smith, AR to D.J. Kelsey and Angeline (Wulf) Kelsey.

David graduated from Southside High School in Fort Smith, AR in 1973.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army for 4 years.  He then worked as a truck driver for 35 years for Southern Transit and then Continental Carbonic where he retired from at the age of 62.  David married Linda Kay Grant on August 14, 1987 in Fort Smith, AR.

David enjoyed coaching and umpiring T-ball little league.  His favorite thing to do was to play with the kids outside.  David also liked camping, fishing, playing horseshoes and ping pong.  He would find the swimming pool as often as he could.  A favorite travel destination was Cancun, Mexico.

David is survived by his mother, Angeline Kelsey; wife, Linda Kelsey; five sons, Charlie Bowman, Chris Kelsey (Paula), Dominic Kelsey (Desmynn  Corry), Steve Kelsey and Cordell Kelsey (Chris Griffith); four daughters, Kelleya (Keith Cox), Melissa Rodriguez (Jimmy), Tabitha Kelsey (Michael Moses) and Natasha Wiederkehr (Spencer) ; two brothers, Robert Kelsey and (Cheryl) and James Kelsey (Chasity); 16 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and many other family and friends.

David was preceded in death by his father, D. J. Kelsey; brother, Roger Kelsey; sister-in-law, Ann Lou Killilay; brothers-in-law, Jeff Grant, Jim Grant and Jesse Montano and nephew, Kevin Killilay.

Those serving as casket bearers will be Chris Kelsey, Charlie Bowman, Steve Kelsey, Dominic Kelsey, Cordell Kelsey, Jimmy Rodriguez, Michael Moses, Keith Cox and Spencer Wiederkehr.

Honorary casket bearers are grandsons, Jacob Kelsey, Leland Kelsey, Brennan Kelsey, Chris Cox, Sid Bower, Clint Cox, Elijah Ortega, Dace Elkins, Jason O’Neal, Trent Tiger and Cain Wiederkehr and great grandsons, Ezra Ortega, Grady Tiger, Graham Tiger, Griffin Tiger and Ridge Elkins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Cromwell Baptist Church with Eric Lee Cambell officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow at Little Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.