Donald Ray Kelso, 82, of Waxahachie died Sunday, November 17, 2019 in a Waxahachie hospital. Funeral services will be Thursday November 21, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Bailey Howard Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Larry Hooper officiating.  Burial will follow at the Kendrick Cemetery at Denton Valley.  Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Donald was born June 3, 1937 in Merkel to Horace and Frances (Crain) Kelso. He graduated from Merkel High School and later served in the Texas National Guard 1 ^st RKT, 131 ^st Artillery 36 ^th Division, Texas Army Reserve National Guard, Abilene, Texas. He married Paula Jean Allen at her parent's home on Meander Street in Abilene on June 8, 1957. He was a supervisor over all high rises in Dallas and surrounding areas for FCS Construction.  He had also worked for the Texas Highway Department in Anson, Southern Tile Company and United Tile Company in Dallas, retiring from the FCS Tile Company after 39 years of service.  He was a member of the Sardis Lone Elm Baptist Church where he had served as a deacon.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Paula Jean Kelso of Waxahachie; son Donald Gene Kelso of Anson; two daughters, Donna Pauline Kelso of Abilene and Jeanna Dawn Kelso Smith and husband Joel of Ennis; brother Jerry Kelso and wife Patsy of Covington; sister Betty Sue Allred of Abilene; granddaughter Krista Dawn and husband Jacob Westbrook of Midlothian; four great grandchildren, Cameron Paul Green, Hadyn Skylar, Brylie Marie and Landyn Westbrook.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Horace Kelso, Frances (Crain) Kelso, Kyle Kelso, Kenneth Kelso and Mary Kelso.