Harlen Gene Kelso, age 85 of Vernon and formerly of Childress, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2016. Funeral services will be at 2 PM on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at Westhill Community Church in Childress with Tommy Sims, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Childress Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 6 to 8PM at Johnson Funeral Home. Harlen was born on April 6, 1931 in Durant, Oklahoma to Clarence and Alice Pearl (Dill) Kelso. He grew up around Childress, and worked at OK Concrete for 20 years. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Korea. He loved to travel and always liked to drive. Harlen loved to laugh and to make people laugh, and always knew how to tell a good joke. He was a wonderful dad, grandad, and friend who was loved by many and will always be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Verlene Kelso in 2003, one son Ricky Lee Kelso in 2009, and five sisters Trudy Hite, Francis Tullies, Johnnie Borton, Thelma Wright and Pauline Mills. Survivors include: 2 daughters Tanya Steel and husband, Junior of Vernon; Carla Casey and husband, Michael of Wichita Falls; Granddaughters Misty Steel and boyfriend, Nick Smith of Wichita Falls; Sonya Durham and husband, Dan of Midland; Vanessa Bradley and husband, Jeramiah of Burkburnett; Charlotte Niccolicchia of Fort Jackson, SC; Alicia Kelso of Amarillo; Grandsons- Josh Kelso of Amarillo; Nigel Kelso of Ohio; Granddaughters- Kathleen Miller of Wichita Falls; Krystal Miller and boyfriend, Denver Morris of Childress; Great-grandchildren Jade Armstrong of Vernon, Hannah and Ally Armstrong of Midland, and Kelly Carr, Caden Carr and Haley Carr all of Wichita Falls, Allysen Jones, Joshua Jones and Keagan Bradley all of Burkburnett, Kaylee Parr of Maryland, and Brigette Myers, Emily Myers, Nigel Myers and Nathan Myers of Alabama; Brothers Larry Kelso and C.E. Kelso; Sisters Ann Thorn, Linda Bates, Barbara Thorn and Gwen Court; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.