HOUSTON - FOX 26 News has learned the person killed in a wreck involving a Crosby ISD school bus was Houston-based singer-songwriter "Mean" Gene Kelton.
The wreck happened on FM 2100 around 8:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Kelton was the only fatality in the crash, but 11 people on the school bus were transported to the hospital as a precaution.
Friends and fans paid their respects on Kelton's Facebook page after a 'status update' announced his death."To my friends and fans of Mean Gene Kelton: Gene was involved in an accident in Crosby late Tuesday evening, and did not survive. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, especially his children and his mother, Helen."
According to Kelton's website, he was one of the top blues guitarists in Texas. Along with his regular performances across Texas, Kelton also spent time as an actor and author. Kelton was scheduled to perform a New Year's Eve show at the Rowdy Bucks Saloon in Crosby. In early December, he opened for ZZ Top in Odessa.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office says Kelton was driving a 2002 Ford Explorer northbound on FM 2100 when he hit the Crosby school bus head-on. While the crash remains under investigation, witnesses told deputies Kelton swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting another vehicle that had stopped to turn.The school bus Kelton hit was carrying the 9th grade basketball team from Crosby High School.
Kelton was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Keltons are friends of mine and this hurts me to my very core. Please keep his wife and family in your prayers. BB
Photos by Bert Marshall
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Doug Delony - Senior Web Producer
10 comments:
Sad day .... prayers for his family. RD
Sad day for Texas music for sure. BP
RIP my dear friend, Gene! DSM
FM 2100 has taken many from us this year alone. Life can slip by in a blink and a swerve.That's all it takes. In just a few hours the FB response from Gene's friends were overwhelming and stand as a testiment to his character and legacy. May God bless Joni and comfort her in the days to come. SG
Mean Gene donated his time to the Community and Children's Impact Center's Annual Texas Children's Music Festival summer before last. He was a fantastic and generous man as well as a fabulous musician. We have lost someone very special. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Ride in Peace Mean Gene. See ya on the other side. You made this old world a better place for all of us.
"Dadgum....what a sad day. Gene has been a good friend for over 20 years. RIP "Mean" Gene." JM
Prayers to everyone....Friends and Family. He was a nice guy and wud always stop and talk to you as if he knew u forever. His Cruisin Tx Avenue has blared in my car many a time. RIP Gene BDP
FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MEAN GENE:
VIEWING:Tues. Jan 4th @Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home: 6123 Garth Rd., Baytown 12-7 family will be there from 4-7.
SERVICE: Wed. Jan. 5th 6:00 pm @ Houston Raceway Park, 2525 FM 565, Baytown Uncle Dave Lancon Presiding..
In lieu of flowers; Donations can be made to one of the 4 Die Hard Charities: Harley's Angels, St. Jude, BACA (Bikers against Child Abuse)or Texas Equsearch.
Thanks for sharing, Bert. Such a great loss to the music community everywhere.
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