Obituary for Joe Merle Keel Joe Merle Keel, 86, formerly of Pampa, entered the Gates of Heaven on April 15, 2018. Joe was born on January 19, 1932 to Joe Merritt and Emma Lou Swain Keel in Pampa, Texas. He graduated from Pampa High School and attended 1 year of college at Texas Tech University.
He married the love of his life, Lola Aline Norton on May 24, 1952 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Joe served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, they moved back to Pampa and raised their four children, William Merritt Keel, Joleen Keel, Debra Aline Keel and Kathy Lynn Keel.
They owned and operated Keel’s Rock and Gift Shop and were members of Hobart Baptist Church and the Canadian River Gem and Mineral Society. He was an operator for Celanese Chemical until his retirement in 1977. Upon his retirement, Joe and Aline moved to Childress, Texas to run their plumbing business.
When it burned to the ground, they moved to Dolores, Colorado and built their dream home overlooking the river and mountains. He was hired by Shell Oil and was eventually transferred back to Texas, where they made their home in Boerne, Texas. When he retired from Shell Oil, they made their final move to the beautiful setting at Lake Nocona located north of Nocona, Texas.
Joe was a member of Nocona Hills Community Church. Joe never knew a stranger and was always ready to help anyone in need. He was known for his big smile and great sense of humor.
He was an avid fisherman, hunter and devoted his time to family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them.
He was a jack of all trades. He was preceded in death by his wife, Aline, two daughters, Joleen and Debra, his parents Joe and Emma Lou Keel and a brother, Jim Keel. Joe is survived by his son, Bill (Carolyn) Keel of Fritch; a daughter, Kathy Lynn (Raul) Anzaldua of Nocona, Texas; two grandsons, Jake Keel of Fritch, Brandon (Jessica) Anzaldua of Franklinton, Louisiana; two granddaughters, Krista (Sandy) Keys of Borger, Texas and Angela Iselt of Omaha, Texas; eight great grandchildren, Sebastian and Shay Keel, Weston and Harper Anzaldua, Brayden, Brooklyn and Brody Keys and Kaleb Iselt.
His sister Shirley Young and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be at 2:00 pm at Hobart Baptist Church in Pampa, Texas with burial at Memory Gardens with full military honors. Visitation will be Friday, April 20th from 6 pm to 7 pm at Winegeart Funeral Home.
Viewing is available from Wednesday through Friday 9 am to 8 pm. The family requests that Memorial contributions be made to Hobart Baptist Church at 1100 Crawford St., Pampa, Texas 79065 or to your local animal shelter. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Joe Merle Keel please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Celebration of Life Services 2018 APR 21. 02:00 PM Hobart Baptist Church 1100 Crawford St Pampa, TX, US, 79065 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Services Guaranteed delivery before Joe’s Celebration of Life Services begins.
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