Richard Keller

Richard Jackson Keller passed from this life at his home in Kerrville on May 12, 2017.\r\n\r\nHe was born in Price, Utah on June 10, 1953. At the time of his birth, his family was living in the mountains on an oil rig due to his father's profession as a petroleum geologist. Until he was 3 years old they travelled and lived on oil rigs throughout Utah and Wyoming until settling in Rock Springs, Wyoming so he and his sister could attend school. As he grew up, his family lived in Rock Springs and Casper, Wyoming, enjoying a wonderful outdoor life of fishing and rafting the many beautiful rivers and lakes. From a young age he was hard working and ambitious.\r\n \r\nHe had a paper route in Rock Springs that was no easy task. He would wake up at 3:00 AM to fold the papers and then headed out on his bike to deliver them. In the winter, the temperatures were extremely cold with many daily snowy blizzards and he never missed a day. He hired his sister to help roll the papers in the mornings. Her job lasted for 2 days before she quit, complaining about the $1.00 per month he generously offered to pay her. It must be said that he only made $30.00 a month, so he felt it was a fair wage! He was also active in Boy Scouts where he and his father built a go-cart and entered the annual race in Rock Springs, bringing home a trophy. They were so proud. \r\n \r\nRichard inherited his father's interest and ability to repair and rebuild old cars, in fact, he could repair almost anything. In 1968, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he attended Junior High and High School, as well as the University of Utah. He eventually started working in the oil exploration field, leading a seismic crew and travelling throughout Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Texas. It was during these travels that he met his first wife Shelia and they continued the journey together. Following the birth of his only child, and love of his life Sarah, on October 16, 1986, they grew weary of the heavy travelling and in 1988 along with his mother and father, purchased the family business The Crossing/Kerrville KOA where he remained the active managing owner until his death. They were also joined by his life-long friend and partner John Rogers who he had met in Utah. He was most proud of his daughter Sarah and her many, many accomplishments throughout her life which he shared with everyone. While she was growing up, every year they took their annual vacation to the mountains of Colorado which was his favorite place on earth.\r\n \r\nRichard had recently regained his passion for motorcycling, and had purchased two which, true to his great abilities, were pristine and decked out to the max. In 2015, he fullfilled his bucket list item of riding his motor cycle to Colorado for his annual trip. Upon returning, as he was slightly limping around, he expressed how happy he was to have that one done! On his last trip to Colorado he took his good friend Melanie and it was apparent that he greatly enjoyed that trip, bringing home beautiful presents for everyone. He had just begun planning a new trip to Colorado, only this time his motorcycle would be transported in a toy-hauler trailer he had recently purchased. Because of his love of repairing and fixing things, he helped countless friends and customers of the campground fix anything; from motorcyles and cars to RV's, boats and just about everything else. It was truly the favorite part of his job. He was the essence of the business and it will never be the same without him. Live long and prosper Richard.\r\n\r\nThe family wishes to express a special thank you to the employees of the business for their help and comfort. Lyle and Sandi Shook, the Debbie and Jeff Ross family, and our newest member Wayne Weirich.\r\n\r\nHe was preceded in death earlier this year by his father, Edward and mother Frances. Left to cherish the wonderful memories of Richard are his daughter Sarah and partner Reiner, sister Kathleen "Annie", his nieces Jennifer, Constance and Chelsea and his great-nieces Rooney, Gracey and Lily Rivers, his Uncle Jack and Aunt Virginia, cousin Jean and friend John Rogers and his family Kingdao, Midnight, Derrick and Kaylee, as well as his many friends throughout the world. \r\n\r\nServices will be private. \r\n\r\nA celebration of Richard's life will be held Tuesday at 3:00PM in the KOA Rec Room. Food and refreshments will be provided. All who knew him are welcome.\r\n\r\nFuneral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville. \r\n