Richard E. Keller
August 10, 1943 ~ February 21, 2021 (age 77) 77 Years Old
Tribute
Richard E. Keller, age 77, of Hopkinsville passed away unexpectedly Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Graveside Services will be at 3:00 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at Rosedale Cemetery in Pembroke, KY with burial to follow. The family welcomes all friends and family and asks that those in attendance observe Covid-19 guidelines. Maddux-Fuqua-Hinton Funeral Home has been entrusted by the family to handle the arrangements.
Richard was born on August 10, 1943, in Pembroke, KY, the son of the late Charles K. and Jane Austin Watts Keller. Richard graduated from Christian County High School in 1961 where he excelled on the basketball court. He was All-District, All-Region and L.I.T. All-Tourney for the Colonels his senior year. He received a basketball scholarship to Austin Peay State University where he played from 1961-1965. After graduating he married his love, Judy Buckley Keller on June 5, 1965, and they made home in Hopkinsville. They celebrated 55 years of marriage this past June. He was an educator in the Christian County Public School System for 27 years and a bus driver for 43 years. Upon his retirement from the public school system he continued to teach and coach at University Heights Academy for another 15 years. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for 52 years and a faithful deacon for more than 30 of those years. Richard was loved by all that knew him. He touched the lives of countless students, teachers, and friends and had a heart to serve. His faithfulness to the Lord, kindness to others and love for his family has made an indelible mark on this world and he was the best “Papa” to his adoring grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Charles W. Keller; and his sisters, Francis Lee Keller and Carolyn Keller.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judy Buckley Keller of Hopkinsville; his sons, Cory Keller of Cadiz, Craig Keller and his wife Casey of Lexington, KY; his daughter, Emily Putty and her husband Jason of Nolensville, TN; six grandchildren, Kayla Chavez, Kristen Keller Grossman, Kara Keller, Keller Putty, Henry Davis Keller, and William Keller; one great grandchild on the way; and a uncle to many very special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Dr. John Reynolds Duke Lung Transplant at DUMC Box 102352 Durham, NC 27710.
Richard was born on August 10, 1943, in Pembroke, KY, the son of the late Charles K. and Jane Austin Watts Keller. Richard graduated from Christian County High School in 1961 where he excelled on the basketball court. He was All-District, All-Region and L.I.T. All-Tourney for the Colonels his senior year. He received a basketball scholarship to Austin Peay State University where he played from 1961-1965. After graduating he married his love, Judy Buckley Keller on June 5, 1965, and they made home in Hopkinsville. They celebrated 55 years of marriage this past June. He was an educator in the Christian County Public School System for 27 years and a bus driver for 43 years. Upon his retirement from the public school system he continued to teach and coach at University Heights Academy for another 15 years. He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for 52 years and a faithful deacon for more than 30 of those years. Richard was loved by all that knew him. He touched the lives of countless students, teachers, and friends and had a heart to serve. His faithfulness to the Lord, kindness to others and love for his family has made an indelible mark on this world and he was the best “Papa” to his adoring grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Charles W. Keller; and his sisters, Francis Lee Keller and Carolyn Keller.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Judy Buckley Keller of Hopkinsville; his sons, Cory Keller of Cadiz, Craig Keller and his wife Casey of Lexington, KY; his daughter, Emily Putty and her husband Jason of Nolensville, TN; six grandchildren, Kayla Chavez, Kristen Keller Grossman, Kara Keller, Keller Putty, Henry Davis Keller, and William Keller; one great grandchild on the way; and a uncle to many very special nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to Dr. John Reynolds Duke Lung Transplant at DUMC Box 102352 Durham, NC 27710.
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