Danny Kelsey

Danny Lavar Kelsey, 76, passed away on February 16, 2026, at his home following a lingering illness.

He was born on June 8, 1949, to Orson Lavar Kelsey and Catherine Annette Malcolm Kelsey in Shelley, Idaho. He attended schools in Shelley and graduated from Shelley High School.

Following graduation, he pursued his love of powerful cars, diesel engines, and motorcycles, by attending diesel mechanic school in Laramie, Wyoming. After graduating, he returned to Shelley, and married Aleta Taylor in 1969, and they had one child together, Robin. They later divorced.

He married the love of his life, Sherry Hansen, in 1973, and adopted her son, Darwin. He spent the next 50 years of his life with Sherry until her death in 2023.

Danny held many jobs over the years. He worked at Smith Chevrolet in Idaho Falls and managed a service station. He later opened D&S Trucking Service, where he rescued many long-haul drivers. After closing his shop, he and Sherry moved to Texas and eventually to Oklahoma, where he ran a maintenance crew that worked on diesel engines for the oil fields. After retiring, they moved back to Idaho Falls after surviving a close encounter with a tornado in Oklahoma.

He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Edwards of MS; sister, Suzanne White of Shelley, ID; daughter, Robin Jackson of Idaho Falls, ID; and son, Darwin Kelsey of UT.

Danny was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry Kelsey; parents, Orson Lavar Kelsey and Catherine Annette Kelsey; brothers, Victor Kelsey and Verge Kelsey; and sister, Darline Harper.

He is survived by his daughter, Robin Jackson of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Darwin Kelsey of UT; sister, Bonnie Edwards of MO; and sister, Suzanne White of Shelley, ID.

Danny will be remembered for his humor, his mechanical ability, and most of all, his kindness. He was loved by his family, friends, and neighbors. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.