George R. Keeling

George R. Keeling Germania Insurance, The Brasch Mitchell and benefactor of The Wallace Theater Project; Gorgeous George...King George...Georgie...the Godfather...the consummate nick name giver died unexpectedly at the Lubbock Heart Hospital on October 17th at the age of 69.

George is survived by his beautiful wife Iris, his precious daughter Alycyn, loving sister Kay Selby and brother in law John, brother in law Don Boedeker, nephews and nieces Greg and Diane Selby, Jeff and Lisbeth Selby, and Laura Selby and grand nephews and nieces Hayden, Bethany and Jeffrey Selby.

He is preceded in death by his parents Bishop and Ruby Lee Keeling and In-laws E.W. Bill and Gladys Boedeker. George was born on December 19, 1947, in Levelland Texas at Phillips-Dupre Hospital. He was a proud graduate of the class of 66’ Levelland H.S. and 1971 graduate of Texas Tech University...GO RAIDERrrrrrrrrrrsssssss. (as George would definitely insert there) where he received his Chemistry B.A. and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He came home to work at his father’s new car dealership for the summer before going to Pharmacy School at the University of Texas and instead decided to stay. After attending General Motors Institute for dealership management in 1972 and his father’s passing in 1975, George became a General Motors Dealer for Keeling Buick. In 1977 he married the love of his life Iris Boedeker and on that August 6, the two would become the inseparable George and Iris Keeling, a love to be envied and most definitely emulated. On the 25th of May, 1985...his greatest achievement...his pride and absolute joy Alycyn Keeling was born and he would get a new name only one would be lucky enough to get to call him... “dad.” George could most accurately be framed by the phrase “service above self”; the Rotarian motto which he did not just recite on Tuesdays at lunch Rotary but that he lived every single day. George served on the Levelland Chamber Board, was elected the State Director for Texas Auto Dealers Association, served as President of the Lubbock Area Association of Health Underwriters, President of Levelland Noon Rotary Club, established the Downtown Association through the Chamber of Commerce, spearheaded the Christmas Downtown Lighting Project, served as President of the Mainstreet Board, American Cancer Society President, was a founding member of the Hockley County Endowment and has served on numerous committees and donated countless hours of volunteer efforts and dollars to making Levelland a place you could sing from the rafters...’livin in Levelland and lovin’ it! George received the Community Service Award in Business from the Levelland Area Chamber of Commerce in 1977, Citizen of the Year in 2002, The Jerry Barton Service Award in 2005, Mainstreet Hero Award in 2008 and also in 2008 the Lubbock Area Association of Health Underwriters established “the George Keeling Distinguished Service Award” with George as the first recipient. George sold the dealership in 1986 and established George R. Keeling Insurance Agency where he has operated and served this community ever since. George never met a stranger, he was known far and wide for the nick names he gave out and he never greeted you without a smile, a handshake a hug, a story or that boisterous love that made everyone feel special. And if we could call Heaven and ask George what he was doing right now...he would reply “Oh, I’m just sittin’ here on the beach eaten bon bons and sipping umbrella drinks!” George will be celebrated and remembered as a life well lived...well loved and well done! Viewing will be Thursday, October 20th at George Price Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00pm. A funeral is scheduled for 10:00am Friday, October 21st at the First Methodist Church of Levelland, with burial to follow at the Levelland Cemetery. Rusty Dickerson will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and celebrate George R. Keeling’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be given to the project MOST near and dear to George’s heart...The Wallace Theater Project. Donations can be made online at www.wallacetheater.com or mailed to Levelland Wallace Theater PO Box 1398 Levelland, TX 79336.

Arrangements under the direction of George Price Funeral Home, Levelland, TX.