Cleburne B. Kelton, better known as CB Kelton, died in Mesa, Arizona of pancreatic cancer at 3 PM on September 15, 2024 at daughter Jodi‘s house ,with his son Scott by his side.
CB was born in Batesville, Arkansas on May 27, 1933. He was the sixth child of Leslie and Irene Kelton.
He taught himself how to play the piano and loved to sing.
He attended the Dallas School of Music in Dallas, Texas. He met his future wife, Doris Johnson, while performing with The Melody Masters Quartet at a Foundry Picnic in Decatur, Il. They married on October 28, 1953 and had six children together, Debra, Cheri, John, Steven, Daniel and Michael.
CB was drafted into the Army in 1953 and was stationed in Germany until 1955. After he returned home he took a job at the Decatur Foundry in Decatur, Illinois. He worked there for several years while also performing with several gospel quartets. He played the piano with the Melody Masters and The Journeymen, and performed with other groups, such as The Stamps and the Oak Ridge Boys. He later held jobs in Decatur at The Brown Jug, the Ambassador Hotel and the Holiday Inn Conference Center. He formed a band with his children and made records with them titled the Kelton Family and the Kel-tones. His two oldest daughters, Debbie and Cheri, sang on WHOW in Clinton, IL as well as WSOY in Decatur.
In 1961 CB divorced Doris and in 1966 he married Carol Seeley. They traveled all over Illinois performing at various churches, while playing their different musical instruments.
Carol divorced CB in 1971.
Later that year he met Teri Newberry and they married on Christmas Day of that year. They had two children, Scott and Jodi.
In 1976 they moved to Wichita, Kansas where he was VP of Sterling National Life Insurance. He resigned in 1979 and moved back to Decatur. He worked at the Ambassador Hotel and the Holiday Inns in Springfield and Decatur along with various restaurants and private parties, alongside Teri.
In 1985 they moved to Mesa, Arizona to further his music career. He performed with Teri and they made several records, as well.
CB had his own tv show, played at several country clubs and delighted thousands everywhere he played.
Teri divorced CB in 1993.
In 1996 he met Ellen Clay and they married on April 1, 1997. They remained together for the rest of their lives.
CB had his own YouTube channel which he was very proud of. To listen to any of his music go to YouTube and type in CBKelton.
Surviving are his brother Herman “Ray” ( Betty) of Flippin, Arkansas, his children Cheri Ashley (Julie Brugh) from Decatur, Illinois, John Kelton from Locust Grove, Georgia, Steve (Tammy) Kelton from Warrensburg, Illinois, Mike Kelton, (special friend Angel ) from Decatur,Illinois , Scott ( Susan) Kelton, from Mesa, Arizona and Jodi (Dave) McIntee from Denton, Texas, stepchildren Eddie Clay, from Mesa, Arizona, Jeff (Lillian) Clay from Mesa, Arizona, Sherri (Charlie) Jones from Prescott, Arizona and Mary (Kevin) Brown from Gilbert, Arizona. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 2 step-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, his parents, six siblings and two children, Debra and Daniel Kelton.
A special thank you to Jodi and Scott for being his caregivers at the end.
We loved Dad and will miss him greatly.