THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE HAS BEEN CANCELLED at this time due to a family emergency and will be scheduled at a later date.

John Leo Kelsey, 76, of Yuba City, California passed away on April 26, 2023 at Rideout Hospital surrounded by loved ones.

John was born July 31, 1946 in Waseca, Minnesota, to Leo John and Cecelia Ann Kelsey, but grew up in Quincy, California.

After graduating from Quincy High School in 1964, John attended Yuba College, followed by CSU, Sacramento where he studied law enforcement. John worked in retail security, the Marysville Post Office, Randy's Liquor Store and as a Yuba County reserve deputy while attending school. In 1974 when John graduated from Peace Officer's Standards and Training at Butte Community College, he began his lifelong career in law enforcement, first as a Deputy for Yuba County Sherriff's Department and retiring as the Chief Fraud Investigator for Yuba County Health and Human Services.

John met his wife Barbara in 1972, while they both worked for Yuba County Health and Human Services and they married in 1983.

When John retired in 2002, being the avid conversationalist he was, he spent much of his time getting to know his neighbors and visiting with friends. He also expanded his culinary skills becoming quite the chef for Barbara and anyone lucky enough to be visiting.

In 2004 when John finally convinced Barbara to retire, they embarked on a seven week trek across the United States. The trip included many interesting places but John's favorite was Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Another highlight of their journeys that John loved so much was snorkeling in Hawaii. John and Barbara traveled for many years to different areas, but quite frequently found themselves in Humboldt County visiting John's extended family who reside there. John and Barbara remained residents of the Yuba Sutter area during all their years together.

John was preceded in death by his father, Leo Kelsey and mother Cecelia Kelsey.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (Furmidge) Kelsey, sister Ann Rainey, 13 nieces and nephews, and 12 great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of John Kelsey to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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