Larry Keistler, 69, of Charlotte NC went to be with his Lord and Savior on the afternoon of May 27th, 2015 surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend. He was born February 22, 1946 in Charlotte, N C, the fifth child of Frank Murray Keistler and Reville Vandevere Keistler. He grew up in the Berryhill community in Charlotte and had wonderful memories of his childhood. He lived across the street from Berryhill School and spent many hours practicing his basketball skills on their court. He also loved baseball and was voted Most Outstanding Little Leaguer in 1957 and was an outstanding player in Pony league.
Larry was a 1964 Graduate of West Mecklenburg High School where he was an outstanding athlete. Along with his best buddies, Charles Boyles and Alan Price, Larry took their 1964 Basketball team to the state finals in Greensboro. Larry was Vice President of the Student Council and was voted Best All Around by his fellow classmates. Larry enjoyed his high school days and attended his 50th reunion last August.
He married his high school sweetheart, Diane Thompson on Oct 15, 1965 and they enjoyed 49 years of marriage. They were blessed with 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Larry was a Charlotte Firefighter and a self-employed painting contractor. He so enjoyed his painting business and painting with all his firemen buddies, Ron Chapman Sr, Ron Chapman Jr, Heath Chapman, Willis Watkins, C B Smith (deceased) and his other buddies Leonard Johnikin and Mark Tolley.
As an adult, Larry poured all his sports passion into his golf. In his younger years, he was a “scratch” player and enjoyed his outings with all his many golf buddies. His greatest love though was always his family. He enjoyed raising his family but his true joy came when he became a “PawPaw”. He never missed a practice or sporting event for his grandson Devin who just turned 10. Even after he became ill in February of this year, he made it to Devin’s last 3 baseball games. He had lots of bragging rights from those games which he always shared with everyone but especially his cousins, Jack Kesitler and Steve Keener who have bragging rights of their own. It was quite a match.
Larry was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church and the Disciples Sunday School Class. He so enjoyed the fellowship with the class and especially enjoyed the monthly event of hosting the Friday Hot Dog Lunch. He bragged that he had the mustard and ketchup down to a science. Larry was so amazed at all the love and kindness shown to him during his illness from everyone but especially his church and Senior Pastor Billy Towery and Congregational Pastor Phil Turner, all the Sunday School classes and especially his Disciples Sunday School Class and President Lynda Elliott.
In addition to his wife, Larry is survived by his daughter Jennifer Keistler Medeiros and husband James, his son Jeffrey Keistler and his 3 precious grandchildren Devin Medeiros, Addison Medeiros and Abigail Medeiros( deceased). He is also survived by his 3 brothers Frank Keistler and wife Frankie, Reggie Keistler and wife Pat and Don Keistler, his sister Martha Hicks and brother in law Bob Harrlelson and many nieces and nephews. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
A service to celebrate the life of Larry Keistler will be Saturday, May 30th at 2:00 PM at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church 1915 Oakdale Rd Charlotte NC 28216. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 PM in the sanctuary at the church. Pallbearers will be Reggie Keistler, Don Keistler, Jack Keistler, Steve Keener, Ronnie Chapman and Willis Watkins. His family would like to thank Dr William Larsen for all his years of excellent primary care for Larry, the outstanding and amazing staff at CMC Main Hospital, Dr Lance Diehl for all his years of excellent vascular care for Larry and for all the love and support from Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
Please make any memorials for Larry to Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church P O Box 681900 Charlotte NC 28216. Arrangements are entrusted to Forest Lawn West, 4601 Freedom Drive Charlotte NC 28208.
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