NORMAN — Robert Franklin (Bob) Kelso, 66, passed away surrounded by his family, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013 in Norman. He was born in Ada to Robert F. Kelso Sr. and Georgia Faye Kelso. Bob was an All American and All Stater in football for the Ada Cougars where he attended high school. Bob was recruited and went on to play football for the University of Oklahoma. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration along with an Accounting degree from East Central University in 1968. He served as Student Senate President his Junior year and was a member and officer of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. It was while he was a student at ECU that he met and married the love of his life Lynne Ella (Smith) Kelso. They shared 39 years of marriage together and had two daughters, Christina “Christi” Lynne and Georganne.
After graduation Bob and his family moved to Tulsa where he was employed by Amoco. In 1972 he made the decision to change the path of his career and began service with the IRS. He became a special agent/investigator for the IRS. During this, Bob and seven others were sent to the University of North Texas to study computer programming and computer languages. Bob became one of the first to teach computer programming and languages at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia, an IRS Taskforce instructor and created and taught the science of computer forensics. Bob was a co-founder and charter member of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS), and helped arrange and develop a computer artificial intelligence expert system for the IRS which became known as Project Focus. Bob retired from the IRS after 27 years in 1999. He continued to serve on the board of Allegiance Credit Union throughout his lifetime and was very proud to be associated with this entity.
Bob loved his family fiercely and nothing meant more to him than his family and friendships he developed and maintained throughout his lifetime. He loved spending time with his family, traveling, and attending OU football games. Bob also loved playing racquetball with a group of his friends and was known on the court as “Killer.” Bob’s pride and joy were his two granddaughters, Courtney and Elizabeth. Some of his favorite times were the holidays. They were always spent with his family and he loved those precious memories. After the passing of Lynne in 2007, he met another wonderful lady, Ginger Coleman Kelso and they married on Nov. 23, 2008. They were able to spend several years full of fun, travels and companionship together. She brought much joy, comfort and love to him in his last years. He was a member of Westside Church of Christ where he served many years as a deacon. A special thank you to the Rivermont Assisted Living Center and Holiday Heights Nursing Home for their wonderful care.
Bob is survived by his wife of the home, Ginger Kelso; his daughter, Christina “Christi” Morren and husband Kevin of Moore; two granddaughters, Courtney Morren and Elizabeth Morren; his Aunt, Elwanda Kelso of Ada; and a host of cousins, family and friends. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Lynne Ella (Smith) Kelso; parents Robert and Georgia Kelso; daughter Georganne Kelso and an infant daughter.
The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at Havenbrook Funeral Home.
Services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday at the Westside Church of Christ, 726 McGee, Norman with interment following 3 p.m. in the Easthill Cemetery, Roff. In lieu of flowers if you wish, donations may be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Arrangements for Bob and his family were placed in the care of the Vice family at Havenbrook Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com
Norman Transcript, Monday, Feb. 25, 2013
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