George M. Kelton

Born in Madison County, Texas, on August 5, 1920 to Peter Curtis, Jr. and Vernon Kelton.

After completion of high school in Madisonville, Kelton came to Odessa, in June, 1936 where he worked for Black, Sivalls & Bryson, Inc. during summers and school vacations while attending Texas Technological College where he graduated in 1941. He entered law school in September, 1941 at the University of Texas, but enlisted in the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor and served in Fifteenth Air Force in Italy from December, 1943 until October, 1945. During this service he was awarded the European, African and Middle Eastern Theater of Operations ribbon 10 bronze service stars; Distinguished Unit Badge with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; American Theater campaign ribbon and the Victory Medal. He was discharged as a Captain.

After returning from the service Kelton married Wilma Floride Parrish on February 15, 1946. She predeceased him on September 30, 1971. They had one child, Mrs. Beth Mery of Humble, Texas.

Kelton completed law school after returning from the service and commenced the practice of law in Odessa in 1947 where he practiced until retirement with the exception of the year 1969 when he served as Assistant Attorney General. He served two elective terms as County Attorney and two elective terms as Judge of the 161st District Court. He served as a visiting judge in various Courts over the State until he retired. During this period of time Kelton served in the various offices of the Ector County Bar Association, including that of President, and as a member of a State Bar Committee to revise the Penal Code of Texas. Likewise, he served as a member of the Rules Committee of the National Conference of State Trial Judges. He helped to found the Presidential Museum in 1965 and was District Vice-Chairman, Buffalo Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America during that year. At various times he was a member of professional organizations such as Association of Trial Lawyer of America and the Law-Science Academy of America as well as various civic organizations.

Kelton was a member of the First Baptist Church, Odessa; Sons of the Republic of Texas; Sons of the American Revolution, and life member of V.F.W. D.A.V. and Masonic Lodge.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Henry Lee Kelton, two sisters, Mary Riddle and Annie Laura Scott and step son, Johnny Branch.

Survived by his wife, Ouida, daughter, Beth Mery and husband, Fred, two grandchildren, Jeff and Robert, and their wives, Wendy and Becky, three great grandchildren, Cooper, Jaxon, and Skyler, and three step children, Aleta Lawyer, Mickey Branch and Kenneth Branch and their wives, Vicky and Roberta, one sister, Ruth Taylor, and various nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 3-5pm Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2pm Monday, November 30, 2015 at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.