Horace Greeley Kelsey Jr.

Horace Greeley Kelsey Jr., was born December 9, 1917 in San Francisco CA to Elizabeth Richards Kelsey and Horace Kelsey Sr.  Horace or ‘Kels' as he was known, was raised in Merced Falls where he attended local schools. As a boy Kels enjoyed building model airplanes, boats, and crystal radios. He enjoyed riding the Yosemite Valley Railroad home from Merced after high school sports.
Horace graduated from Merced High School in 1936. Horace then attended UC Berkeley and graduated in 1940 with a degree in Mining Engineering. While attending Cal, Horace met and courted Joan Minot Green of San Francisco. They were married on February 16, 1941. Horace and Joan resided in Merced after their marriage and raised three children, Virginia Ann, Henry Green and Jon Grant Kelsey.
Horace's life revolved around his family and the cattle ranch at Merced Falls. While a lifelong cattleman, Horace also provided his engineering expertise to the Merced Irrigation District during the construction of the second dam and farmed almonds in Le Grand. He spent much of his time prospecting for and analyzing minerals on his ranch and at other locations. Though he rarely spoke of his love for the land, Horace was proud that he was successful in keeping his father's ranch intact and worked hard to maintain the family legacy. Along with his love for his family, Horace truly enjoyed people and coveted the many friendships he made throughout his long life. Horace enjoyed family picnics, big band music, ballroom dancing, camping, hunting and Cal football.
Horace served as the President of the Merced Chapter of the American Red Cross from 1952-1954. He was a board member for the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District, 1954-1965 and served as secretary of the Merced Mariposa Cattlemen's Association 1948-1950 and was also a long time board member of the Merced Falls Soil Conservation District from 1955-1977. Horace was active in the Merced County Farm Bureau for many years and served as president from 1973-1975. He led the unsuccessful effort to allow Merced County farmers and ranchers to enroll in the Williamson Act during that time period. He was among the first ranchers to protect his land through the conservation act once it was adopted by the County in 2000.
Horace was preceded in death by his wife, Joan and his daughter Virginia. Horace is survived by his two sons, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Horace also leaves behind Helen Thorley, his beloved companion.
A memorial service will be held on December 8, 2008 at the Central Presbyterian Church in Merced at 10 o'clock in the morning. Following the service a gathering of his friends will be held at the Kelsey Ranch in Merced Falls. Remembrances can be made to the Snelling Courthouse Restoration Fund, UC Merced, or the Central Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Funeral Home