Keating Vincenzo Zeppa

Keating Vincenzo Zeppa was born January 28, 1933 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas, and passed away at his home following a lengthy illness on May 12, 2015 with his beloved wife Priscilla at his side. Keating was the son of Joseph and Gertrude Wells Zeppa. He was educated in the Tyler public schools, The McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, Rice Institute in Houston, and ultimately graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1959. He interrupted his academic endeavors in 1953 to serve in the United States Navy where he achieved the rank of Lt. Junior Grade, and achieved the position of aircraft commander on a Martin P5M Marlin. He was honorably discharged in 1957 and promptly returned to the University to finish his degree. Keating was very proud that he had achieved his pilot’s license before he even earned his driver’s license. After graduation Keating joined Delta Drilling Company as a junior production engineer and in 1960 went to Argentina to manage company operations there. He returned to Delta's Tyler office in 1964 as Assistant to the President, supervising foreign operations. In 1971 he was named as Executive Vice President in charge of the supervision of both domestic and foreign operations. In 1975, Keating became President and Chairman of the Board, the position his father, Joe Zeppa, held since founding the company. Keating enjoyed all sorts of social interaction, from entertaining friends at home to carrying on long conversations with the cashiers and counter help at Brookshires. He was an avid sailor, and ultimately achieved one of his dreams, which was to sail up and down the east coast and throughout the islands of the Caribbean on his own boat. He and his wife Priscilla enjoyed sailing together on the lakes of east Texas for many years. He loved all sorts of mental challenges including crossword puzzles and Mensa quizzes. Keating enjoyed the theater, opera and symphony. He had a razor sharp wit, and a dry sense of humor that was enjoyed by all who loved him. Keating married Priscilla Pratt Pace on February 11, 1989. They were happily married for twenty six years. Keating served on various boards and civic organizations which included, People's National Bank of Tyler, Texas Chest Foundation, East Texas Hospital Foundation, Saint Andrews Episcopal School, Medical Center Hospital, East Texas Symphony Association, Tyler Catholic School System, City of Tyler Planning Commission, Airport Advisory Commission and Christ Episcopal Church. He served as president of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, and held leadership positions in Pi Epsilon Tau fraternity, Independent Producers Association of America, Texas Research League, Texas Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, and Engineering Foundation Advisory Council. Keating is survived by his wife, Priscilla Pratt Pace Zeppa; his children Chris Zeppa and wife Melinda and their daughters Aubrey and Kayleigh Zeppa; his daughter, Cathy Zeppa; his son, Joe Zeppa and wife Leasa and their children Ashlea Ruff and husband Brian, Hunter Zeppa and wife Kirsten, and Madelyn Zeppa; daughter Marie Ray and husband David and their children Clay Ray and Andrew Ray, step children Georganne Epperson, John Machel and wife Sheri, and many others. Services for Keating will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Tyler, Texas on Friday, May 15 at 3:00 PM. Visitation will follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall. Arrangements are with Stewart Family Funeral Home. The family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided by Dorothy Johnson, Angela Owens, Kim Lee, Kenneth Lee, Kenneth Van Zandt and Ora Moore. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Keating Zeppa Scholarship Fund at UTT C/O Administration Office, 3900 University Blvd. Tyler, Texas 75799.

Keating Vincenzo Zeppa

January 28, 1933 - May 12, 2015