Raymond H. Kelton

Raymond H. Kelton, 88, died Friday, November 28, 2008, at home in Austin, Texas, surrounded by his family. The family will have a private celebration of his life. Raymond Harrison Kelton was born August 7, 1920, in Tucson, Arizona, to Frank and Eleanor (Harrison) Kelton. He graduated from Tucson High School and the University of Arizona with Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. He received a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of North Texas. Ray married Barbara Kilburn on January 4, 1944 at Tucson. They lived in San Diego, California while Ray served in the United States Navy. Ray devoted his career to music education. He taught at Montana State University, Texas Wesleyan College, East Central University in Oklahoma, and Wayne State College in Nebraska. He was Professor of Music for 24 years at Wayne State and also Chairman of the Music Department and the Division of Fine Arts. He retired in 1984. He was a member of the Nebraska Music Educator Hall of Fame, Kappa Kappa Psi, and various professional organizations. Ray also worked extensively with high school music students in summer camps, contests, and as a clinician, adjudicator, and teacher. He taught for several years in the Dallas public schools while pursuing his Ph.D. Ray will be remembered as an accomplished musician, conductor, performer, and teacher. He specialized in brass instruments, music history, conducting concert and marching bands, and performing on the euphonium and trombone. His performances of classics such as the Carnival of Venice on the euphonium were a joy to hear. After retirement, he continued to play and solo with the Sioux City Municipal Band and the brass quintet A Touch of Brass. Ray especially enjoyed gardening, traveling, attending concerts with Barbara, and his grandchildren. He also loved candy and good jokes! Ray is survived by his two sons, R. Harrison (Elizabeth) Kelton Jr. of Newton, Mass., and Phillip (Karen) Kelton of Austin, Texas; and four grandchildren, Kevin Kelton, Erica Harris, Christina Kelton, and Piper Kelton. Ray was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Barbara; his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Frank Jr.; and infant son, Gary. Memorials may be made to either Providence Medical Center, Wayne, Nebraska 68787; or to the Ray Kelton Band Scholarship fund via the Wayne State College Foundation, 1111 Main Street, Wayne, NE 68787. Ray's family thanks Hospice Austin and all the other doctors and nurses who treated him in Austin, and appreciates your thoughts and kindness.