Donald Robert Keller was born September 21, 1945 in Wallace, ID to John W. Keller and Grace A. Keller.
He passed away peacefully on May 8, 2020 in Las Cruces, NM.
Don was an avid baseball player as a child and loved being pulled by cars on the frozen road (hooky bobbing) with his brothers and friends. He also loved snow and water skiing, swimming and fishing.
Don served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Corporal stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA from 1964-1967. Two of those years were foreign and/or sea service. He was a part of the 21st Rifle Company, FMF, SMCR. He was trained in corrections, chemical warfare defense, operations against guerilla forces and was a military policeman. He was a Marine NCO and responsible for the lives of his men in or out of combat situations. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksmanship Badge, M-14 Rifle Commendation and the Good Conduct Medal during his 3 years of service. He was a die-hard Bears and Cubs fan as a promise to friends he lost from Chicago in Vietnam.
Don was a hard rock miner of several precious metals for the majority of his life. Don’s other jobs included OSHA instructor and maintenance on the city gas system. Don had a great moral compass and exemplary work ethic. He had a strong sense of justice and fought for what he believed in.
Don married Martha Gandara of Lordsburg, NM in Tucson, AZ. They spent 51 years as husband and wife. Don was preceded in death by both his parents, his two brothers David and Michael Keller and his son David Keller. He is survived by his wife and their children Diane (Anthony)Flores, Don R. Keller, Debra M. Keller, brother Tom Keller, 9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He was a great protector, husband and father who loved his family and all of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several generations of nieces and nephews and all that ‘adopted’ him as their dad and grandpa. He loved to give special surprises of candy, phone calls, gifts, texts, cards, etc. to constantly show his love for all of them. He had never ending jokes and we all loved his sense of humor.
He will be missed dearly.
Services are pending due to current pandemic.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Donald Robert Keller, please visit our floral store.