Name: Visitation for Mark David Kelsey
Start: 2014-11-21T23:00:00.000Z
End: 2014-11-22T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Wade Funeral Home & Crematory - Arlington

Chief Mark David Kelsey, 65, passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Fort Worth. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday at Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 2100 N. Davis Drive, Arlington. Interment: at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Visitation: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Mark's name to Snowball Express or Freedom Angel Foundation. Mark was born Nov. 29, 1948, in Hartford, Conn., to Nathaniel Grant Kelsey and Grayce Harvey Kelsey. He served in the U.S. Army and Air Force. He received a master's degree in science. An Arlington resident since 1988, Mark was a member of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. He retired from American Airlines as a supervisor in weight and balance planning in 2004. In 2006, he was mobilized on active duty with the Army where he served as a casualty notification/casualty assistance officer at Fort Hood until his retirement in July 2010. During Mark's 33-year career in the U.S. Army Reserves, he was honored with many awards and special recognition. In 2007, he was named as an honorable mention in the "Army Times" Soldier of the Year competition for his work in the casualty field. In 2008, Mark was presented with The Ancient Order of St. Christopher award for his distinguished career in the Transportation Corps. Gov. Rick Perry recognized Mark's work in 2009 with surviving family members in the North Texas area and commissioned him an admiral in the Texas Navy. Prior to joining the advisory board, Mark served on the Snowball Express board of directors as the volunteer coordinator. Mark served as a mediator with ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve). He served as a director with Freedom Angel Foundation, a charity to support special needs of our returning veterans. He was a proud member of the Patriot Guard Riders of North Texas, worked on lowering his handicap at Rolling Hills Golf Club, was on the board of directors of the Eagle Mountain Classic Boat Club and served as the commander of the Chester W. Nimitz Squadron of the Texas Navy. Mark was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Pat. Survivors: Wife of 26 years, Michele; daughter, Molly; a host of relatives and friends; and his beloved Bichon, Kirby.

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Published by Star-Telegram on Nov. 19, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Mark Kelsey

Sponsored by the Star-Telegram.

14 Entries

Mary Laureana Aguirre

November 17, 2023

From time to time when I have an opportunity to share my story of how my CAO and I stayed in contact for many years, people are shocked to find what a wonderful person he was behind the uniform!! Gold Star Mother, Mary you of CPL Nathaniel Aaron Aguirre

Gold Star Mother Mar Laureana

November 13, 2021

Mark, I am eternally grateful you were in our lives In 2006 and beyond as a friend. And I could have asked for a better Casualty Notification Officer. I am richly blessed for that !

Kurt Neufang

November 27, 2014

I had the privilege of serving with Mark in the Selective Service section of the Army Reserves. Mark was a good friend and he had a wonderful sense of humor. It was an honor to have worked with him and I will always have fond memories of our service together.

May the Lord bless and comfort Mark's wife, daughter and family during this difficult time.

Peter Conlon

November 24, 2014

My deep sympathy for you and your family Michele. I only knew Mark for a short time and could tell he had an impact on everyone he met.

November 22, 2014

I met Mark briefly at last years holiday party, and am just learning what a beautiful giving person he was. My thoughts and prayers are with you Michele, and your daughter. Wenda Davis

Assistant Chief Kelsey returns to his roots

Doug Chisholm

November 21, 2014

On behalf of the current members and officers of the Paul Smith's/Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department (New York), as well as the original members and officers of its predecessor, The Paul Smith's College Volunteer Fire Department, I offer collectively our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Michele and Molly. I have asked Tom Tucker, current Chief of Department, as a professional courtesy, to make an official entry in the station log indicating Mark as a Fallen Firefighter. Mark was the third charter member of the original department and, at eighteen years of age, distinguished himself as an organizer and "instigator"; a sign of things to come in later life. Know that in his earliest days he was well respected.
As time passes, may peace come to both of you. He was a Brother to us and as such we very much share your loss and grief.

Doug Chisholm
Ass't Chief, PSCVFD, (ret.)
Chief, Sandy Island Fire Brigade

Greg and Vicky Smith

November 21, 2014

The world lost a great man in Mark. Mark was a friend, a mentor and a patriot. We will all surely miss him.

Sister Mary Harvey

November 20, 2014

My deep sympathy, Michele and Molly. Mark was an extraordinary person, very intelligent, faith-filled, gracious, gifted, joyful, kind, caring and compassionate and much more. He is a very loved, honored, and respected member of the Kelsey/Harvey families. Mark will be greatly missed.
Yesterday Father Hamilton offered a Mass for Mark in our Chapel. He has received many prayers here. May he rest in peace, that peace which he imparted to so many others.

Love and prayers,

Sister Mary E. Harvey, SSJ

Aunt Mary

November 20, 2014

Dear Michelle and Molly,
How proud you must be of the man you called Husband and Father. May God bless you at this time.
Peace,
John and Rubye

Tonya Aslin

November 19, 2014

Dear Michele and Molly, Mark was a great co-worker at AA. When I would work on his same shift he was so interesting to talk with, so intellegent and he had a peace about him. He could bring humor too. I missed him when he retired. It is heartfelt of your loss. Peace,

Ruth Klein

November 19, 2014

Michele, wishing you, Molly, and Kirby healing and love.
What a perfect photograph of Mark to show! I am so, so sorry.

Mark accepted my invitation as my guest for the SOS Fort Sam ribbon cutting on Sept 29, 2012 along with my Casualty Assistance Officer, David Beyer

Mary Laureana Aguirre-Garza

November 19, 2014

It was an honor to get to know Mark. He came into my life when he knocked on my door that October 22, 2006 as my Casualty Notification Officer to notify me that my only son had been killed in Iraq. With my first TAPS retreat in 2008 at Fort Hood he approached me and recalled that day and my Nathaniel. I was in shocked that he remembered me! Since that day our lives intertwined and a friendship grew. I took the courage to invite him and my Casualty Assistance Officer to the ribbon cutting at Fort Sam for the SOS. Both accepted and attended. I was so honored and proud of my friendship with Mark and David Beyer. Last time I saw Mark was at the Fort Carson, Colorado Springs retreat in April 25, 2014. This time it was different...not about me...I wanted to know about him and his life. He talked about his wife and daughter and being Catholic. He never once mentioned how accomplished he was! I did not know he was a Chief Warrant Officer 4. He was such a humble person. I called him in July, 2014 to let him know I was moving to Germany with a military family/friends and that I wanted to continue keeping in touch. It saddens me that I will no longer get to see his smile or get a warm embrace. But I rejoice that he has a very special place next to our Heavenly Father. Ich Liebe Dich, Mark! from a Gold Star Mother, Mary Laureana Aguirre-Garza