Albert F. Kaelin Jr.

1935 - 2021

Albert F. Kaelin, Jr.
July 19, 1935 - November 23, 2021
Fort Worth, Texas - Albert Frederick Kaelin, Jr. was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He passed away on November 23, 2021, after a brief illness at the age of 86.
Al was born on July 19, 1935, to Mabel and Albert Kaelin, Sr. and grew up with his sisters in Rockville Center, New York. He attended Fordham University and graduated with a BS in physics. From there, he went on to work as a systems engineer for American Bosch Arma Corporation for one year. In 1958, he entered the Air Force and went through flight training in Bainbridge, Georgia; Laredo, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; and Las Vegas, Nevada. From 1960 to 1963, he was a TAC Fighter Pilot with the 10th TAC FTR Squadron, 50th TAC FTR Wing at Hahn, Germany. He held "Select Crew Status" and achieved "Top Gun" awards for both Wing and Squadron in 1962.
After he was discharged in July of 1963, Al joined Delta Air Lines. In his years as a pilot, he flew a number of planes including DC-6, DC-7, Convair 440, Convair 880, DC-9, Boeing 727 as well as MD 11. He achieved Captain status in 1969 and retired after 32 years with Delta in 1995. He and his beloved companion, Snoopy, flew all over the world and ended their career flying the MD 11 to the Orient. If you knew Captain Al, then you knew that Snoopy always flew with him!
Al married his first wife, Carol in 1960 and they had two daughters. After her death, he lived in Houston, Texas where he met and married his wife of 40 years, Jerria. In 1983, they moved to Fort Worth, Texas where they enjoyed a wonderful life together until his death. Al had many hobbies including traveling all over the world, skiing, tap dancing lessons and performances as well as cheering for his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. He played horn, published music and was a whiz on the computer editing photos and creating many things for his friends and family.
One of Al's favorite things was his affiliation with the Shriners. He was a life member of the Moslah Temple in Fort Worth as well as the El Mina Temple in Galveston, Texas where he was initiated on May 4,1985. He was a member of the Moslah Shrine Bedouin Band and served as co-chair of the band, horn
player, instructor, and music publisher for their group. He was also a Master Mason with Lake Worth Lodge No. 1410 in Lake Worth, Texas. Not only were these people his friends, but he also considered them his family. Al and Jerria made life-long friendships throughout this organization and made many
fond memories over the years. He always looked forward to his meetings, traveling, fundraisers, parties and competing with his Shriner and band friends.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Cromwell. He is survived by his wife, Jerria, his daughters Kelly and Kryss, his sister, Jeanne Barrett and his beloved dog, Kandi. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Leesa Herington (Scott), Lorre Totten (Robert) and Fred Moore (Krista). Al was also Papa to Leslee Johnson, Lacee Carter, Lauren Totten, Bo Totten, Cameron Moore and Carly Moore and a great-grandfather to Emilia, Eva, Hudson, Libby, and Henry. He surely will be missed by all those who had the opportunity to know him.