John Kelsey

Gale "John" Kelsey, age 81, of Gaines, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025. Family will need your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. For those wishing to write online condolences you may do so by visiting his obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.

John was born on January 22, 1944, in Durand, Michigan to the late Gale & Pearl (Lauderbaugh) Kelsey. He attended Byron High School, Class of 1962. This is where he met the love of his life, Kay L. (Mortimore). Kay was only a year behind him and shortly after her graduation they married on November 23, 1963. Together they were blessed with two beautiful children and shared 61 years in marriage.

John was employed with General Motors V-8 for over 30 years before retiring in 2000. Once in retirement John kept himself extremely busy; as he could never sit still. He always had some sort of house or yard project in progress. John was a master at re-purposing abandoned things and giving them life again in some unique fashion. With his creative mind he saw purpose in anything. In recent years he became attracted to Motorcycling, He and Kay went as far south as Florida, North to Canada, and South Dakota in motorcycle having great fun. John and Kay became snowbirds and traveled to Florida; the most recent city they grew roots was Ft. Myers. All throughout John's life he cared for horses. Most dads get talked into buying their children a dog or cat, but not John. He brought home his children's first horse when they were only two and three years of age. They would be blessed with a new baby horse almost every year. Horses were his biggest passion; training, raising, and even traveling with them. His biggest adventure was in South Dakota with his horse friends and family.

John is survived by his loving wife, Kay Kelsey; his daughter, Tiffeney Davidge; son, Shannon (Cheri) Kelsey; grandchildren, Jonathon (Katie) Kelsey and Heather (Jeremy) Kelsey-Zumbrunnen; great-grandchildren, Wesley Kelsey and Brody Kelsey and niece-in-law, Kathi Stiff, great nephew Bradley (Rebecca) Stiff, Lucian and River, great great nephew and niece. He is further survived by many other dear family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister and brother; son-in-law, Michael Davidge and special nephew, Steve Stiff.

The family would like to thank the staff of Durand Senior Care and Rehabilitation. They took special care of us, like family.