CAMDENTON, Mo. – John Lester Kelsey, founder of antique and classic tire distributor Kelsey Tire Inc. and a 2009 inductee into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame, died Sept. 17. He was 79.
Born in Rochester, Minn., Kelsey attended Camdenton High School and the University of Missouri’s College of Arts and Science. Drafted into the Army on April 8, 1967, he served in the 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam War. He left the Army in May 1969 with several medals including the Bronze Star, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, Army Commendation and Good Conduct.
Following his discharge from the Army, Kelsey started selling tires and later opened a garage-operated business in what is now Kelsey Tire headquarters. The business continued into the early 1980s when Kelsey closed the mechanic shop and turned his focus to the manufacturing and distribution of Goodyear classic and antique tires.
Kelsey Tire became the exclusive authorized distributor of Goodyear antique and classic tires for vehicles from the 1920s through the 1980s. He was well-known throughout the tire industry for his knowledge and dedication to the production of antique tires.
Active in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Kelsey was a charter member of the Camdenton Knights of Columbus and the Camdenton Optimist Club.
He is survived by his wife, Janice; daughters Ann Doughty and Mary Kelsey; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Camdenton is handling the funeral arrangements.