GORDON BERTRAN KELLER, JR.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, shall give me at the day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that longed his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8. Gordon, a native of Baton Rouge, LA and a long-time resident of Lafayette, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 30, 2013. Born on June 27, 1929, Gordon was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. "Papa Keller" will be dearly missed by all. Gordon grew up in Baton Rouge, attending Bernard Terrace Elementary and graduating from Baton Rouge Senior High in 1946. Early years were spent working after school and weekends in his parent's Esso service station, where they sold gasoline and repaired automobiles. He learned the rudiments of auto repair from his father, and learned to drive by shuffling customer cars around the station for his dad. Following high school, he was a letter-carrier for USPS before attending college full time. In 1949, Gordon graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now UL) in Business Management and Economics. Gordon joined the Naval Reserves from 1947 to 1949, completing Officers Candidate School in Long Beach, California. Following graduation, he served 2 years active naval duty in Guam, Mariana Islands, and was discharged in November 1955 as LTJG. In 1955, Gordon married Marion Breaux of Morgan City, LA. The following year, they moved to Lafayette where they lived, worked, and raised their family. In the 1960's, Gordon worked as a regional salesman for IBM, covering an 8-parish area. From the early 1970's to present, Gordon was a hands-on landlord for his local commercial real estate interests in the Lafayette area. He was also a long-time active member of the Louisiana Landowners Association, serving on their Board of Directors and representing family interests. Gordon was a 1959 charter member of the Lafayette Sertoma, and received the club's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 for over 50 years of service to our community. Gordon also served as the 1963-64 Regional President, and the 1968-69 District Governor. He participated in many local and regional projects, and most recently, particularly enjoyed working the Sertoma Cajun Air Shows. In younger years, Gordon was an enthusiastic and talented bowler in several Lafayette leagues. Gordon was an active church member during his lifetime; particularly serving at Our Lady of Fatima and St. Jules Catholic Church as usher, commentator, and lay minister. Gordon was a Leader in the Catholic Cursillo movement for more than 30 years. He served as fundraising chairman for the construction of the new Cursillo Center facilities in Prairie Ronde, LA during the 1970's. Gordon also served over 35 years of volunteer service on the Pastoral Care team at Lafayette General Hospital. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon B. Keller Sr. and Eleanor Cazes Keller of Baton Rouge; his wife of 36 years, Marion Agnes Breaux Keller; a daughter, Peggy Ann Keller; and two sisters, Margaret Lorraine Keller Pertuit of New Orleans, and Evelyn Lelia Keller Seefield of Baton Rouge. Gordon is survived by one son, Durwood L. Keller and wife Janie of Baton Rouge; one daughter, Nadine Keller Huval and husband John of Kingwood, TX; three grandchildren, Andrew C. Keller and Carrie A. Keller of Baton Rouge and Nicholas J. Huval of Longview, TX; and one great-grandson, Maverick Jameson Huval of Longview, TX. He is also survived by his brother, Robert D. Keller of Baton Rouge. The family expresses a deep gratitude to Mary Mosley, who cared for Gordon during the final four years of his life. Her attentive care allowed him to remain safely in his home where he was happiest. We extend sincere thanks and appreciation for over four decades of love and caring support to our family by Theresa Jolivette and her entire family. We wish to recognize the Gerald Gerami and Gerald Domingue families, long-time special friends to Gordon, who were there when we needed them most. We are humbly grateful to Lisa Senegal, Shinita Gary, Dr. Thomas Voitier, the staff at Cornerstone Village South, and all of the doctors and nurses who attended to his needs in the last few weeks. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 2 at Delhomme Funeral Home from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Wednesday, April 3 from 9:00 am till services. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on April 3 at 11:00 am at St. Jules Catholic Church, followed by burial beside Marion at Calvary Cemetery. Reverend Dan Edwards will be the Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Musical selections will be provided by Howard Milligan. Pallbearers will be family and friends, including his two grandsons, Nicholas and Andrew. Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, are requested for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, in gratitude for the life-saving care Gordon received there in 2005. Personal condolences may be sent to the Keller family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

GORDON BERTRAN KELLER, JR.

June 27, 1929 - March 30, 2013