Dr. James William Kelsaw, Sr.
August 7, 1926 - February 2, 2020

Dr. James William Kelsaw, Sr. of Houston, Texas passed on Sunday, February 2, 2020, at age 93. He was born August 7, 1926, in Gastonburg, Alabama, the son of Thornton Robert Kelsaw and Ethelyn Anthony Kelsaw.

At the age of 19, in 1945, he proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Afterwards, Dr. Kelsaw's formal education included a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Talladega College (Talladega, Alabama) in 1951. While there, he was active in campus life, including serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Talladega Student, a Press Club journalist, and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He earned a Masters in Sociology from Fisk University (Nashville, Tennessee) in 1955. Finally, he earned a Ph.D in Sociology, with a History minor, from Washington State University (Pullman, Washington) in 1960.

Dr. Kelsaw's work experiences included over eleven educational institutions where he occupied various professor positions and three administrative roles. His longest-held position was at the University of Houston from 1971 to 1989 as an Associate Professor of Sociology.

Dr. Kelsaw remained ambitious and passionate about social justice issues throughout his life, using his platform to advocate equal rights for all people, especially those of African descent.

Dr. Kelsaw leaves family, friends, and scores of former students to cherish his precious memory. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Ethelyn Ericka Kelsaw of Houston, Texas; his son, James William Kelsaw Jr. of Austin, Texas; his daughter Tanya (Todd) Holts of Houston, Texas; his son Tarik Anthony Kelsaw of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren, Kendrick Dyslin, Christian Holts, Kacey Kelsaw, Anthony Kelsaw, and Jenesis Kelsaw; and his brother, Benjamin (Sylvia) Kelsaw Jones of Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Kelsaw's remains will be interred at the U.S. Veterans Affairs' Houston National Cemetery.