Randolph Mitchell Keeling

Randolph Mitchell Keeling, 98, of Tyler, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, departed this life to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 22, 2013, at The Hamptons in Tyler. Services for Mr. Keeling will be held on Friday, April 26, 2013, at the Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler, Texas at 10:30 am with Rev. Joe Orr of Mount Enterprise Baptist Church officiating. Graveside Service and burial will be at 1:00 pm in Boynton Cemetery, Long Branch, Texas. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25 at the funeral home. Mr. Keeling was born October 27, 1914 in the Long Branch Community in Panola County, Texas, to the late James Oscar and Eula (Boynton) Keeling. He married the late Ruth Loraine Fleming on October 31, 1936, and they had two sons, Billy R. Keeling and Joe L. Keeling. Mr. Keeling was born at the beginning of World War I, and grew up on a farm in East Texas. His occupations over the years included farmer, cattle rancher, miner, oil field rough neck, draftsman, and engineer. During WW II, he worked in the shipyards in Orange, Texas, building destroyers and landing crafts. His later work life was spent in Houston, Texas where he was employed for over 30 years as a Senior Instrument Engineer for the Fish Engineering & Construction Corporation. After retirement, he and his wife Ruth moved to Tyler in 1987. They were members of Marvin United Methodist Church and the Friendly Bible Class, of which he at one time served as president. He was an avid reader, particularly of the Bible, and he enjoyed playing the organ and oil painting. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 wonderful years, Ruth Fleming Keeling; by his beloved son, Joe L. Keeling; by his parents; and by brothers John Binford and Oscar Reginald Keeling. Survivors include son Bill Keeling and wife Sue of Houston / Tyler; six grandchildren including Scott Keeling of Dallas, Mike Keeling and wife Elida of Brenham, Karen Ruth Keeling Watson and husband Andre of Houston, Randy Keeling of Houston, Jodie Keeling of Austin, and Lara Keeling of Canada; and two great-grandchildren, Curtis and Christopher Watson. Other survivors include nephews and nieces John K. Marshall, Don Marshall, Debbie Marshall, Norma Ruth Keeling Scarborough, and Kay Nell Keeling. Pallbearers will be grandchildren, family and friends. Special thanks to his beloved and faithful caregiver Diane Williams of Tyler. Mr. Keeling was a faithful and unselfish caregiver to both his wife and his son during the long periods of illness preceding each of their deaths. He was a man of great Christian faith, and he was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. His passing is a great loss for all of us who love him so much, and he will always be in our hearts. If desired, memorials may be given in honor of Mr. Keeling to Marvin United Methodist Church, 300 W. Erwin Street, Tyler, Texas 75702 or to the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701, one of his favorite charities.

Randolph Mitchell Keeling

October 27, 1914 - April 22, 2013