Judge Kenneth H. Keeling

JUDGE KENNETH HALL KEELING Born in Leona, Leon County, Texas on July 26, 1939, his Honorable Kenneth Hall Keeling succumbed to his battle with cancer in the early morning of Monday, October 20, 2014. Judge Keeling is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sharon Kay Mask Keeling, and their three children, Karen Keeling Fuller and her husband, Michael Fuller of Flower Mound, Texas, Kimberly Keeling Gerdes and her husband, Jeffrey Gerdes of Old Bridge, New Jersey and William Mac Keeling and Christine Waites of Huntsville, Texas. Additionally, Judge Keeling was blessed with four grandchildren: Payne Fuller and Paige Fuller of Flower Mound, Texas; Jeffrey Gerdes and Robert Gerdes of Old Bridge, New Jersey. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Keeling Erwin and her husband Frank of Dallas, Texas; brothers: Len Keeling and his wife Marlene of Montgomery, Texas, Mickey Keeling and his wife Virginia, Pete Keeling and his wife Nancy, both of Houston, Texas, Jack Keeling and his wife Mary of Centerville, Texas. Also survived by Robert P. Mask, (Nell) brother-in-law, Dumas, Texas and sisters-in-law, Connie Mask Morris (Steve) of Willis, Texas and Kathy Mask Emerson (Jess) of Spring, Texas. Numerous nieces and nephews, whom he cared deeply for and tried to mentor and assist them in any way. Also acknowledging his love, respect and admiration for a special aunt, Ethelee Mask Hubble, Navasota, Grimes County, Texas and uncle, Cecil Mask of Southlake, Texas. Judge Keeling was preceded in death by his parents, Alvis and Eloise Keeling and his grandparents, Freddie and Ruby Hall and Len and Gertrude Keeling. Kenneth graduated from Centerville High School, Centerville, Leon County, Texas in 1957 and then earned his BBA from Sam Houston State University in 1961. Upon graduating, he moved to Houston, Texas and while working as an accountant for Cameron Iron Works, attended law school at South Texas College of Law, graduating in 1970. Serving for six years in the United States Air Force reserves at Ellington Air Force Base, he remained a life-long patriot. In 1971, Kenneth returned to Huntsville, Texas, hired by W.T. "Bill" Bennett, the former District Attorney whom he had long admired. In 1981, Governor Bill Clements appointed Kenneth to the newly created 278th District Court. After a number of years, he chose to return to private practice. He was again appointed to the judicial district bench by Governor Rick Perry, as the presiding judge again of the 278th District Court. He remained in that position until his death. Judge Keeling’s family would like to publicly recognize and thank the following: his loyal and devoted office staff, Loretta Murray, Casey Robertson and Johnny West. A special love and thank you to Dr. Thomas Cole for his friendship and constant care. And to all the many Judges, lawyers, personal friends and supporters throughout the Walker, Leon, Grimes and Madison Counties, that he served, who supported him and cared about him a very special and sincere thank you. He loved the law and attempted to serve in a manner honoring his position. Services will be held on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 1016 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, Texas. A visitation and prayer service will be held at the Leona United Methodist Church, 189 Hwy 75 North, Leona, Texas, Leon County, Texas from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM. followed by burial in his beloved Leon County at the Leona Cemetery, Leona, Leon County, Texas. Because of his great love for the law, the family request, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to the Honorable Kenneth Hall Keeling Law Scholarship Fund. Mailing address: American National Bank & Trust, C/O Karen Fuller, Trust Department, 1201 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, Texas, 75028. A recipient to be chosen for study at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas and/or South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas. Pallbearers include Michael Fuller, Jeffrey Gerdes, Payne Fuller, Kermit Keeling, Marcus Keeling, Cyndi Erwin Larsen. Honorary Pallbearers include Wm. Robert “Billy Bob” Bitner, Dan “Red” McKaskle, Henry Batten, Johnny West, Wilburn Woods, Ernst “Hotshot” Cannon, Roger “Sonny” Knight, Jr., Kevin Knight, Bennie Rush, DeWitte Lindsey, and Dan Rodell. Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com.

Judge Kenneth H. Keeling

July 26, 1939 - October 24, 2014