John Lester Kelsey

John Lester Kelsey, 79, of Camdenton, Missouri passed away on the evening of September 17, 2023. He was born in Rochester, Minnesota on May 17, 1944 to Paul and Mary Kelsey (Donnelly). John and his family moved to Camdenton in 1953, where they opened the Kelsey Antique Auto Museum. He graduated from Camdenton High School in 1962, then attended the University of Missouri’s College of Arts and Science in Columbia, MO. John married Kathryn Ann Thompson on June 11, 1966 in St. Louis, later welcoming their two daughters—Ann Marie and Mary Elizabeth Kelsey.

John was drafted into the Army on April 8, 1967 as a Private and completed basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He reported to the Personnel Center at Oakland Army Terminal on April 7, 1968 to ship out to Vietnam. His initial assignment with the 82nd Airborne included time spent with “B” Company in Hue; he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during the period of April through December 1968. When the Army discovered he studied finance and accounting, they moved him to the “A” Company Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne and he served as Sergeant E-5 within the Finance Office. He left the Army in May 1969 with the following medals: National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, Army Commendation, Bronze Star, and Good Conduct.

After honorable discharge from the Army, John started selling tires, later opening a garage-operated business in what is now Kelsey Tire, Inc. headquarters. The business continued into the early 1980s until John decided to focus his attention on the manufacturing and distribution of Goodyear Antique and Classic tires and closed the mechanic shop. Pursuing his passion, Kelsey Tire became the exclusive authorized distributor of the Goodyear Antique and Classic tires for vehicles from the 1920’s- 1980’s.

In 2001, John married Janice D Myers (Andexler). They became active congregants at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. John is a Charter Member of the 3rd and 4th Degree Camdenton Knights of Columbus, along with being a Charter Member of the Camdenton Optimist Club. Professionally, John became well-known throughout the tire industry for his knowledge of and dedication to the production of antique tires. In 2009, John was inducted into the Tire Industry Association’s Hall of Fame after being nominated by Goodyear’s CEO and President, Robert Keegan. In being inducted into the TIA Hall of Fame, John joined a group of some instantly recognizable names, including Charles Goodyear, Andrew Michelin, Les Schwab, John Dunlop, and Harvey Firestone.

John is survived by his wife, Janice; two daughters, Ann Doughty and Mary Kelsey; three grandchildren, James and Josh Burton, and Elizabeth Endecott; one great-grandchild, Nathaniel Burton; as well as many beloved friends. Janice is also supported in her time of grief by her three sons; Ted, Tod, and Troy Myers, and her grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri