Lynn N. Kelso

Lynn N. Kelso, 88, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, died Sunday, March 7, 2010 at the Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, North Carolina. He was born September 10, 1921 in Terre Haute, Indiana as the only child of Byron and Margaret Kelso.

Lynn served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941 to 1962, serving as an aviator in World War II and the Korean War. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses; a Bronze Star; and ten Air Medals.

Upon retiring from service, Mr. Kelso became co-founder of Beasley-Kelso & Associates in New Bern, NC. He served as president of the Carolina’s Association of Professional Insurance Agents; the New Bern Board of Realtors; the Craven Insurance Agents’ Association; and the New Bern Civitan Club. From 1983 until 1989, he was the National Director of the Professional Insurance Agents.

Mr. Kelso served as the Chairman for the Ad Hoc Planning Committee for the Craven Unit of the Lenoir Industrial Education Center in 1964. He also was Chairman of the Advisory Committee for the Craven Education Unit of Lenoir Community College from 1965 to 1968. In 1968, he was appointed by the Governor to the Board of Trustees of the Craven Industrial Education Center, serving as the first Chairman from 1968 to 1971. He served as trustee of the Craven County Industrial Center from 1968 to 1980. In 1981, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the State Board of Community Colleges, serving in this capacity until leaving the Board in 1989.

He was a life member of the Marine Corps Aviators Association, the Retired Officers Association, the Navy League and the Eastern Carolina Yacht Club.

Lynn married the late Mary VanArsdall, and is survived by their four children and their spouses: Mary da Motta of Estoril, Portugal, Cassandra & Bill Ridlinghafer of Tucson, AZ, Chris & Trish Kelso of New Bern, NC and Katherine & Bill Polk of Greensboro, NC.

In 1983, Lynn married the late Lola McClary, and is survived by his stepchildren and their spouses: Coleman & Lindi McClary of Sherman Oaks, CA, Cameron & Judy McClary of Springdale, AR, Carlin & Mark Johnson of Apex, NC, and Cathy & Dan Ludwig of Waukesha, WI.

By these unions, Lynn is also survived by seventeen grandchildren: Inacio da Motta, Carolina da Motta Lancastre, Christopher (Chip) Kelso, Byron Kelso, Meghan Kelso, Chelsea King, Lindsay Polk, Scott Polk; Amanda, Amy, Alex and Andy McClary, Adam and Arica Ludwig, Lindsey, Gabe and Adria Johnson; and also nine great-grandchildren.

Lynn Kelso was a man of strength, courage and honor, who loved family—a family that will miss him dearly and cherished every day in his presence.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Glenaire Retirement Community in Cary, NC. A private committal service will be held on Monday, March 22 at the National Cemetery in New Bern, NC.

Memorials may be made to the Glenaire Foundation (designate “Student Scholarship”), 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511; or to the Salvation Army, P.O. Drawer E, New Bern, NC 28563 or www.keepthebellringing.org.