Ed was born on May 24, 1925 in Pensacola, FL and attended McGill High School in Mobile, Alabama. He joined the U.S. Marines in 1943 where he excelled as a Golden Glove boxer and a member of the elite Recon Division. Ed fought in the Pacific theater during WWII where he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery. He attended Hinds Jr. College in Mississippi from 1946 to 1948 and later graduated with a B.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1950. He earned his M.A. degree in 1957 from the University of Texas at Austin. Later, Ed was inducted into the Hinds Junior College Hall of Fame for football and boxing. He was a football, basketball and swimming coach in Texas City from 1950 to 1963 and was promoted to Athletic Director in 1963. He then worked for the U.S. Office of Education, Dallas Regional Office, starting in 1968 until his retirement in 1986. While there, he held numerous positions including Education Program Specialist and Management Analyst to the Office of the Inspector General, which allowed him to pursue his goal of equal educational opportunities for all Americans. From 1986 to 1996 Ed remained in education as a teacher appraiser for the Carrolton-Farmer’s Branch ISD. For almost 30 years, Ed exercised his passion for sports as a basketball official and served as president of the Dallas Chapter of High School Officials. He officiated high school games, college games, the original ABA and the emerging WNBA. Ed also will be remembered for his unique sense of humor, quick wit, and passion for life. Ed is survived by his wife Sandra Lea Kelson; children, Mike Kelson, Karla Shelby, Kevin Kelson, and Karl Kelson; stepchildren Shauna Lemons, Brian Murphy and Brandon Murphy; grandchildren Carey Kelson, Rob Shelby, Scott Shelby, Erin Mueller, Logan Kelson, Travis Kelson, Kyle Kelson, Ann Marie Kelson, Kevin Kelson, Nathan Lemons, Lauren Murphy, Jordan Murphy and Meagan Murphy; and great grandchildren Ryan Kelson, Sean Kelson and Brooklynn Shelby. The family will receive friends at a Visitation to be held at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 8520 Main Street, Frisco Texas 75034 on Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 2-4 PM. Funeral Services will be take place at 10:30 AM at the Funeral Home, on Monday, September 8, 2008 with Rev. Father Jason Cargo presiding. Interment will be held at 2:00 PM at DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas TX (Lane B). In lieu of flowers please make a donation to one of the following great organizations: The American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association or Catholic Charities.