Monte Kelson

DARRELL LaMONTE KELSON

1928 ~ 2021

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Darrell LaMonte Kelson passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021, in his home surrounded by his loving family in Magna, Utah.

He was born June 18, 1928, in Murray, Utah to Darrell James Kelson and Margaret Abiah Bird.

He married his sweetheart Katherine Joyce Redmond on July 28, 1954, in the Manti LDS temple, and together they raised 6 children.

Monte was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He also was a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.

Monte was raised in Magna, Utah where he met many lifelong friends who enjoyed getting into mischief around town and on Magna Main.

Monte attended Cyprus High School then went to work at Tooele Proving Grounds. He then served his country proudly as a United States Marine in the Pacific. He earned the highest score ever, at the time, as a “Rifle Expert”.

Monte worked as a reserve Salt Lake City Police officer and for the County Sheriff for several years.  He then worked for Kennecott Copper for 36 years. When they went on strike, he provided for his family by working as a police dispatcher, firefighter, detective, and driver for Brinks.

After retirement from KCC, he worked at Hercules. Monte loved his family and his country and was a true patriot. He had the utmost love and respect for the Flag where it was proudly displayed every day in his front yard.

He also loved spending time in the outdoors camping, hunting, shooting, and fishing with family and friends. He enjoyed many camping trips to the Uintas, Electric Lake, and Yellowstone Park. Many fond memories were created at Disneyland with his children.

His hobbies included HAM radio operator where he was proficient at morse code, hunting, target shooting, photography, knife making and he had an eye for jewelry and enjoyed beautiful stones. He was an amateur writer and inventor.

Survived by his loving wife Joyce of 67 years, daughter Jill Roberts (Don), son Gordon Kelson, daughter Sondra Erickson (Ron), daughter Jan Musselman (Robert), daughter Kathleen Kelson, 16 loving grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. His sister Mardee Redmond and many beloved nephews and nieces.

Preceded in death by son Darin Kelson (21) and parents Darrell and Margaret Kelson, brothers Gary, Russell, Dean, and sister Irene.

The family would like to thank Erika Torres and The Caregivers Support Network.

“The guy who has never walked the fields on a fall day and bagged a nice rooster pheasant, in my book, has never lived.”

Monte Kelson

N7ETE

Signing Off

A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 12, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. followed by funeral services at 12  noon at the Lake Ridge 3rd Ward, 7960 W. Dalesend Dr. (2750 S.) Interment: Valley View Memorial Park, 4400 W. 4100 S.