He began his UPS career out of the Redmond center, later worked routes in Ravenna, and about ten years ago successfully bid on the Madison Park route. When UPS Corporate later transferred the North Seattle routes to the SODO building, the change brought him closer to Capitol Hill, the neighborhood where he grew up. At the time, Harold’s parents were retired and needed extra care, and being nearby allowed him to stop in, check on them, or share lunch, something he deeply valued.

Harold’s path to UPS was not a straight one. After one year at the University of Washington, he realized college was not the right fit for him. Through friends of his parents, he entered a plumbing and pipe-fitting apprenticeship and spent the next 14 years working in the trade. Over time, however, work became unreliable. During a two-year period, he found himself working only about four months total, which made the situation financially unsustainable.

A friend told Harold that UPS was hiring through what was then known as the Job Service Center. He took the test but didn’t pass the first time. Determined, he returned a month later, passed, and was offered a job in November. Concerned that he might be laid off shortly after starting, he declined the offer. On February 12, 1987, UPS called again, and this time Harold accepted. Unlike many drivers, he went directly into driving and never worked preload or unload.

One aspect of delivery work that Harold says people often underestimate is the level of organization required. Delivering efficiently takes time, planning, and an intimate knowledge of the route, customers, and their needs. For Harold, though, the best part of the job has always been the people he meets along the way.

One moment that has stayed with him happened while he was driving in Kirkland. Harold noticed a very young girl who had just stepped off a school bus and was walking alone along a busy street where cars often ignored the speed limit. The child was on a stretch of road with no nearby homes, which immediately raised concern. Harold pulled over and realized he recognized her. Her father was a regular customer whose business was about a mile and a half away. Harold called him and waited with the child until he arrived. A simple miscommunication about who was picking her up had led to the situation, and the family was deeply grateful that Harold took the time to stop and help.

Harold says he is the same person on the job as he is off it. When he isn’t delivering packages, much of his time is spent on his seven-acre farm with his wife of 44 years, Gail. Together, they board horses and manage the daily chores that come with rural life. Harold also treasures being a grandfather and spending time with family. He and Gail have two children, Keliana and Justin, who now have families of their own. When he has time to relax, his interests are simple: resting, watching television, and putting his feet up. He says making young children and babies smile or laugh helps him recharge.

A small but meaningful part of Harold’s daily routine is praising the Lord through song at Mount Zion Baptist Church, where he is a devoted member of the choir. Singing is his passion, and when asked about his favorite song, he laughs and says that anything Mrs. Phyllis Byrdwell puts in front of him is his favorite. On the road, Harold stays fueled with Gatorade, especially in the summer, when he freezes it so it slowly thaws into a slushy and keeps his sandwiches cold.

Harold truly loves his job and believes he would never have met so many people in the community if not for his work as a UPS driver. He is often heard calling out addresses and announcing that he has something for someone, bringing energy and familiarity to every stop.

The Kelsie family’s commitment to helping others extends beyond Harold’s route. One day, his daughter Keliana encountered a young boy named James who had nearly been hit by traffic. When police arrived, they discovered that James’s mother was unable to care for him at the time. Rather than see him placed in foster care, Keliana contacted her Harold and Gail, and with the mother’s blessing, brought James home to live with her and her two other children, Koren (22) and Ava (14). He has now lived with Keliana for two and a half years and is loved as their newest grandchild.

Harold has also hosted a foreign exchange student, Gianclaudio, who now works with the FIFA World Soccer Association in Dubai. Gianclaudio’s two children, ages 15 and 18, often visit Harold’s ranch, and he proudly refers to them as his “other grandchildren.”

The next time you see Mr. Kelsie driving through the neighborhood, consider offering a friendly toot of the horn, a wave, or a smile. After decades of delivering packages and quietly looking out for others, those small gestures are a simple way to return the kindness he brings to the community every day.