Carolyn 'Keri' Gillet Jelks

b. April 12, 1931 Los Angeles, California
d. no date on stone

 Keri met her husband Rukie while he was in college at the University of Montana. They married and then lived in Phoenix for 20 years where he worked for the Hercules Powder Company. They had three sons: Rukin, Jr., Danny and Jimmy.

 In 1973 the family moved to southeastern Arizona where they bought the Diamond C Ranch in Lyle Canyon, near Canelo. They subsequently acquired the old Houston homestead in Elgin and the adjoining Triangle T originally owned by Walter Houston in the 1800s. Rukie operated the properties in partnership with his sons, assisted by their loyal ranch foreman, Joe Quiroga.

 The boys remember their childhood as one adventure after another. The highlight for them was always camping in Mexico where they fished and explored, discovered Indian artifacts, and traded meat and fish with the locals in exchange for clams and eggs.

 Rukie and Keri were well-known for their gracious hospitality and community volunteerism and they enjoyed a rich family life in the scenic setting of the Arizona countryside.


Rukie and Keri in their library

Written by Betty Barr and edited by Corbin Smith.

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SCS 10/6/24