I met Don in October 2013.  He was a very good friend of my uncle and aunt, Paul and Betty Littley.  

I helped him dismantle Paul and Betty's old furnace one afternoon,  and we had a wonderful time talking, praying and enjoying the fellowship of good conversation.  

This photo shows him in Paul and Betty's basement holding a work light.  

Anybody who knew him definitely knew he held the light of Jesus.  

I only knew Mr Keller for a short time before he went home to be with the Lord, but during that time I was blessed by his desire to pray with me and for me at any time and as many times as needed!    His kindness to me came during a trying time in my life, and I will always appreciate the grace that he and his family showed me!  Thank you Lord for Mr Keller!

It’s been well over a decade since I saw Don, but he made a significant impact on my life! Don exemplified exuberant Christianity to my newly saved parents. Even the doors of OUR station wagon proclaimed (via sizeable magnetic signs):

“John 14:6- I am the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE” 

just like Don’s car. As a child I watched in wonder as he, bedecked with “Jesus Loves You” and “Jesus Saves” lapel pins, pulled Gospel tracts from his shirt pocket and shared the Best News absolutely EVERYWHERE. He had such tireless tenacity in making opportunities that at the time I felt… embarrassed! 

And he would SING! I have a vivid memory of him rowing some of us kids around the lake, belting  “Praise Him, prAAAIse Him, praise Him in the MORNing, praise Him in the noontime.…’till the sun goes down!” 

PRAYER. Like his witnessing, Don found ever-frequent reasons to bow his head. “Let’s just have a word of prayer,” he’d say. Whether coming, going or finding one of us to be the providential “hello” of a phone call intended for my parents, he would “have a word of prayer.” Even as a child, the sweetness of his prayer circles with my family moved me to tears. I wish I could replay them. 

Their lake home was a place of warm hospitality, making sure it blessed others, even trading homes for our tiny city house for a week to give our family a vacation! 

The result? Today — and for many years now — I’ve sought to have Don’s boldness. When feeling cowardly, I often imagine his perseverance. When out, I pack my purse full of tracts and look for opportunities in every person I meet. I see people with eyes of eternity and not just as waitresses or cashiers or passerby. Don made what could seem “odd” and “unusual” —even “radical”— to be a natural overflow of God’s love for the lost. Mr. Keller’s “spark” has lit a fire in my heart, and by God’s grace, will continue through many generations. I’m a mom now, gifted with 10 children, and am grateful to pass on to them what he taught me. 


Several times we went to Bob Jones University for breakfast, and he was always so kind to people we met.  He would pray almost as soon as he met someone.  I admired that about him.  I remember walking with him in Nairobi, Kenya, twenty years ago.  There are only a few truly godly men that I have known, and Don was one of them.  I will greatly miss his fellowship and his smile!

Don left a lasting impression of God's love on us both.  He will always be remembered as one who was living outloud for Jesus.
He was a true disciple who 
 talked to God without ceasing. His smile, love, and prayers will linger on forever. Glory to God!

I met Don in Sunday School class at Calvary yeas ago.  I loved his evangelistic and loving heart for all.  I did not know everything about him,  but he was a dear friend to my husband and I for years.  We some times would go out to lunch together and he would try and reach souls for  the Lord as we waited in line for food. It was fun as I liked seeing this done. Jerry Fawell Senior used  to speak to waiters etc  like this and I wanted to be just like that too. I used to do this at Malls and in hospitals and at work. I am so glad he did so much for the Lord and will have a great pay day from Christ at his throne in Heaven. 


Don Sr always prayed for my ministries and always encouraged me.  He bought Bibles for so many people.  His heart was dedicated to sharing the gospel and he did it boldly!  I am sure he has already seen many people in Heaven who came to faith or were encouraged in their faith by him.  Welcome home.

OBITUARY

Donald "Don" Robert Keller Sr.

March 24, 1932 – September 20, 2021

Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park

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