Tributes

Donald Charles Keller was born in San Antonio, Texas on April 12, 1932 and went to be with our Lord on Friday, November 13, 2015 at the age of 83 years and 7 months. Don is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Charles and Otelia Beck Keller; brother Otto Duddie Keller; and sister Audrey Keller Lewis. He is survived by Irene Janetnee: Rothlisberger, his wife of 59 years; their cherished daughter Kimberly L. Webb and husband Mike Webb; and one adored grandson, Jonathan Keller Esquivel; "Shadow" his constant Golden Retriever companion; in addition to 3 nieces, 1 nephew, loving relatives and many wonderful friends he made during his years of an awesome life. During his younger years he was avid skin diver even though doctors told him at a very young age that, due to his asthmatic condition, he would never be able to swim or do any type of diving. He worked at many different jobs which included painting cars at his father's business, working as a stock boy in the local grocery store, etc. He attended St. Mary's University and earned a degree in Economics. He worked at the Lone Star Brewery before joining the Navy in March, 1956. After boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Valcour. Shortly after he married "Renie" in December, 1956, he was shipped overseas to the Suez Canal. He advanced from Seamen to Head Storekeeper and also succeeded in being the ship's "Heavy Artillery Ace No. 1 Sharpshooter". He really enjoyed the "Navy" part of his life as he and the ship's cook were always assigned shore duty at each port to purchase the ships food, which also gave them a chance to visit various interesting places while doing their assigned duties. He did lots of snorkel diving in South Africa, in France, and many other ports during his naval enlistment. After his honorable discharge from the Navy he went to work for U-Tote-M food stores as a Store Manager and stayed in the food market chain store business until his retirement from Lone Star Ice and Food Stores as Gas Marketing Executive Vice President. He totally enjoyed fishing and hunting. For many years he donated game meat and fish to the North Side Lions Club. He was the 1970-1971 President of the club and usually the "head chef" of their local annual game dinner. Don was a passionate coastal fisherman and upon his retirement, and with much regret sold his boat and replaced his passion with two trips a week to Sea World, meeting all the divers and skiers, telling "his Sea World kids " of his diving and fishing adventures. He loved having parties at a local Karaoke Sing-Along-Club for his "Sea World family", whom he entertained with his deep voice rendition of "Old Man River, Ghost Riders in the Sky" and many other songs. Unfortunately after his stroke in October, 2014, he had to give that up, but still enjoyed reminiscing about the wonderful things he did during his life and the great friendships he made along the way. Our thanks to Eliana Gardner and her staff for the care and comfort they gave to Don while in their care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Don's name to the Humane Society. A Graveside Service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 2, 2015. You are invited to sign the guess book at www.missionparks.com in obituaries section.

Tributes

Donald Charles Keller

April 12, 1932 - November 13, 2015