Funeral Services for Myrle Kelton, 88, of May, Texas will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at the Heartland Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the May Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Myrle slipped away to Glory on December 10, 2017.
He was born to Buck and Bea Kelton on the McElroy ranch near Crane, Texas on January 26, 1929. He grew up in the challenging and rigorous life of an old-time cowboy. He became a proficient roper at the age of 12 and went on to receive numerous trophies and awards through the years.
Having completed public school in Crane, Myrle attended Tarleton State University where he became a member of the first university rodeo team. At Tarleton, he met his lifetime partner, Ann Jeanes of Comanche, Texas. They were married on November 15, 1949 and celebrated their 68th anniversary in 2017.
They lived on ranches near Fort Davis, Texas and Las Vegas, NM before he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. His tour of duty took him to Holland where he served as an inspector of food products purchased by the military. There, he survived the North Sea flood that inundated much of the country, taking the lives of many persons and thousands of livestock animals.
In the early 1960’s, Myrle, Ann and their two sons settled near May. In addition to faith and family, he truly loved ranching, roping and the special horses he owned. In 2009 he received a Cowman’s Award of Honor from the Hayley Memorial Library in Midland, Texas.
Myrle became a Christian at an early age, embraced the charismatic revival in mid-life and was a long-standing member of a men’s bible class meeting in Brownwood.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his elder brother, Elmer Kelton of San Angelo. He is survived by his wife, Ann and sons, Shane Kelton and wife Valerie, and Joel Kelton and wife Lola. Surviving brothers are Bill Kelton and wife Pat of Atlanta, Texas and Eugene Kelton and wife Peggy of McCamey, Texas and sister-in-law Anni Kelton of San Angelo. Surviving grandchildren are Angela Naquin and husband Corey of Cleburne, Texas, Kara Smith and husband Nathan of May, Tana Isbell and husband Ben of Brock, Texas and Jason Kelton and wife Rhonda of May. Great grandchildren are Graham, Gaby and Gavin Naquin of Cleburne; Breanna Kelton of Dallas, Carson Isbell of Brock and Kelton Smith of May.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to CBN’s 700 Club.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
