Sorry for your loss.  I only knew of George from ancestry research as living on Martinshire in Houston, TX in the 1960's.  It was his grandfather, Jules Julian, that provided the most family tree data for me when he met my grandfather, John Edward, in 1968.

As I noted the photo of George as a young A&M cadet in my earlier tribute, I am moved by the tributes of George's fellow Aggie classmates, John Mayfield, Jim Byrd, Ed Priest and Joe Shaffer, to say one other thing. Thanks, to you august gentlemen, for your service to our country. Had you been born 15 years earlier, I know you would have been with General Rudder at Pont Du Hoc or any other place where America called upon you to defend our freedom.  As it was, you were able to survive and to live long lives with the memories of the  "long grey line" that MacArthur spoke of so movingly in his valedictory  "Duty, Honor, Country"  . You gentlemen are what that speech was all about. I salute you.

George and I had been friends since September of 1954 when he was a sophomore and I was a freshman in Sqd. "5" at Texas A&M.  We had a lot of fun over the years as to the way he "haised"me as a "fish".  He'll be missed and I'll miss him as well.

George Kelt set an example for everyone in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Houston and was the role model many of us admired with his strong sense of right and wrong, playing by the rules even when others don't, and having fun along the way.  He was a lawyer's lawyer who had many friends, admirers and colleagues, all of whom spoke highly of him.  Few attained the respect and friendships George enjoyed.  I was proud to know him and glad he was part of my world oh so many years ago when we needed it most as young lawyers starting our careers.

We were colleagues in the United States Attorneys Office in Houston. It was my first job out of law school and George helped me learn to try a case.  Later in our careers, he again helped me learn the ropes as Magistrate Judge. He was generous with his advice, helpful, sincere, wryly humorous, and colorful. He was one of the good guys and I will never forget him.

May 21, 2017
George lived daily by every standard his many friends, colleagues, and loved ones have set out in their comments.
My personal/professional experiences with George proved he was indeed a powerful advocate for the United States as a prosecutor and an outstanding and exemplary jurist when he was on the Magistrate- Judge bench. He has been missed in both places since his retirement. His public service set the standard. 
I can also say I knew him as a friend and know he will be missed greatly.
Bob Bennett

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

I first met George as a fellow federal prosecutor and came to know him as a first-rate legal scholar, an effective litigator, a devoted public servant, and a cherished friend. My heartfelt condolences to his family; his was a life well lived.

What great memories I have of George Kelt during his years as a magistrate judge and later with the U.S. attorney's office.  He was a devoted public servant who never hesitated to mentor me while getting documents signed by him as a federal agent or seeking advice from him as a prosecutor.  George had a sensitive heart under that rough exterior.  He was always able to sum up any given situation with a pithy and quite funny phrase. I loved his dry humor and his wit.  George lived life to its fullest.  May our Lord look over him and his family with many blessings.    

Judge kelt gave me my first job out of law school.  He became not only my boss,but also my mentor,teacher and friend.  He was the best.  He was a good man and an excellent judge and litergator. I will miss his wonderful sense of humor and his western themed Christmas cards that I received each year.  He loved his family more than anything.  .

I have been friends with George since 1953 when we were together in "Fish Company H" at Texas A&M. As accounting majors we attended numerous classes and studied together. George had the best memory of anyone I've ever met but it did tick him off when I would accuse him of having a photographic memory! He was disappointed when I changed my mind about attending law school and got an MBA at t.u. instead. He had very clear & strong feelings about right & wrong and as a result this world is a better place for it. Gig 'em, George.
Jim Byrd '57 Kingwood, TX & Angel Fire, NM.

George Kelt was a treasured friend for over 60 years.  Although our career paths took us in different directions and we often did not see one another for long periods of time, we remained steadfast friends as well as fellow Aggies.  With our joint moves to the Dallas area over 10 years ago, we were able to resume our close relationship.  He and his wife, Clara, frequently joined us for dining out and shared meals in our homes.  Robin and I pray for God's comfort and peace for this precious family.  May the blessings of our Lord be with them at this time as they mourn their loved one.

I will always remember Judge Kelt for his intelligence, humility, and decency.  Through his work in the courts and at the U.S. Attorney's Office he had a positive impact on many people:  his colleagues as well as members of the public.  Our prayers are with him and his family as they remember a life well lived.

I was employed in the Shell Pipeline Accounting Department after graduating from Rice in 1955.  George came to work there in 1957 after he graduated from Texas  A & M. I was the Shell Pipeline Company auditor; and visited often with George on the tenth floor of the Shell Building on the corner of Fannin and Texas in downtown Houston; and, when he was transferred to Casper Wyoming with Shell.
   I practiced law with Robert C. Bennett, Jr. for "13" years; and, knew George (Judge Kelt, to you, Shaffer) when he was in the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney's office; and, when he was U.S. Magistrate in Houston.
   George was a friend, a loyal Texas "Aggie", and, a really good guy.  I am saddened by his death; but, he would be heartened by the tributes paid by Judge Brown, Ron Woods and Dan Rodriguez; and George and I will be watching for my former law partner, also a really good "guy", and a loyal Texas "Aggie", Bob Bennett, to "weigh in". 
Joe Shaffer (Lakeway, Texas)

George was my mentor and friend. He was a delightful  raconteur and conversationalist who knew and respected law and history as well as a good laugh. It is well that the picture of him as an A&M Cadet is how we are asked to keep him in our thoughts, as that association was a central and defining part of his life. A life well lived is the best legacy anyone can leave. George accomplished that.

In addition to working with George in the US Attorney's office in Houston, Nanci and I had the special pleasure of joining George and Clarire on one  of their annual summer  trips.  We traveled Alaska together by boat, bus train and helicopter, and of course midnight buffet and daily exposures of George's humor.  One evening's entrainment included a comedian on stage at an old time opera house. The standup comedian made the mistake of calling George up on stage with her.  George with his dry wit stole the  show.    
George was special  in so many ways. We are all enriched from lknowing him and deeply saddened by his passing. Rest well old friend with the knowledge that you life was well spent. 

Pat and Nanci Molloy, Versailles, Kentucky.

George was a committed public servant, even when being cantankerous. He was a brilliant legal mind and a completely non-parisan jurist. I hope all of us can celebrate his life as we mourn his passing.

I worked with George for many years in the U.S. Attorney's office before and after he served 8 years as a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was a wonderful friend and an excellent lawyer. He taught many young lawyers how to be professional, ethical prosecutors. We are all diminished by his passing. Our prayers are with Clara and her family

Hon. George A Kelt was a colleague as United States Magistrate Judges, a legal opponent in court when he was an Assistant US Attorney and I was an Assistant Federal Public Defender, and my friend.
He was a very capable trial attorney while at the same time he was very careful to see that a defendant got a fair result. He was smart, diligent, and always prepared for trial. Unlike some of his fellow prosecutors, George actually went to the law library and stayed current on the law. He loved his family deeply.  He was a remarkable, but very humble man.

Time has taught me that you can best judge a person's life by the positive impact that person has had on the life of others.  By that standard, George's life was priceless!  I know that he will not be "laying on a couch" in Heaven "eating bon bons" but will be regaling everyone with his Southern charm.  My friend, you may be out of my sight but you will never be out of my mind.  My prayers and deepest sympathies to his family.  He was truly one of a kind--the best kind.

Judge George Kelt - a wonderful man, faithful friend and a superior human being.  I had the privilege of being his case manager for a time during his service as United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas at Houston.  He loved his time on the bench and was always in all things fair and just.  It was my privilege  to have known and worked for Judge Kelt.  RIP Judge.

Our prayers are with you and the other family members during this time of sorrow. George brought a special spark of understanding and appreciation to so many of our special occasions. These memories will always remain to bring a smile on each recollection.  Our prayer is also for you to feel his enduring love and affection.

OBITUARY

George Allen Kelt Jr.

June 30, 1935 – May 17, 2017

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services