A man of service John T. Kelsey: honored by Alaska Business Monthly for his 'Lifetime Achievement in Business'.

• Author: McCorkle, Vern C.

For half a century, John Kelsey has served others.

First, his country, as a naval commanding officer at sea. Then his hometown, as fire chief, council member and mayor. And his state, at the call of more than one Alaska governor.

He was, and still is, a businessman, an entrepreneur, financier and counselor to more than a score of boards and public organizations, both profit and nonprofit enterprises. And, he is Alaska Business Monthly's choice to receive its rarely awarded honor and recognition for his "Lifetime Achievement in Business."

John Kelsey was born the second son to Robert D. and Myrtle T. Kelsey on July 24, 1920, in Valdez. He attended grammar and secondary school in the Valdez School District where his school chums included Bill Egan, first governor of Alaska; Dan Cuddy, president and chairman of First National Bank Alaska; George Sullivan, past mayor of Anchorage; and John Dimond, Alaska's first Supreme Court judge, appointed by Gov. William Egan. He then graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, afterward doing graduate study at Columbia University until called to active duty in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and commissioned an Ensign. He received orders to sea duty in the Aleutians (Kiska Island invasion defense) and then to most of the major naval campaigns in the Pacific Theater where he commanded the sub chaser PC 1079. Earlier he had been chief navigation officer of the troop transport USS Olmstead (APA 188).

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Kelsey returned home to assist in the operation of the family business, the Valdez Dock Co., and there began his public service and business career.

In the early 1950s, when the fire department needed a chief, he served in that post for 14 years, then as a city councilman for another six years. Kelsey followed that up with two terms as mayor of Valdez. Concurrently, at the Valdez Dock Co., which was comprised of several docks and wharves, he supervised no fewer than 400 longshoremen at the company's peak, while acting as agent for both the Alaska Steamship Co. and Chevron U.S.A. in Alaska. In connection with these agencies, the company also operated extensive warehousing, fuel dock and bulk fuel tank farm facilities.

THE GREAT QUAKE

On March 27, 1964, the tsunami that accompanied the worst earthquake ever recorded in North America wiped out the entire dock company, and much of the city of Valdez along with it. "At the shore, we were the first hit,"...