John David Keller

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 2, 2024 in Community Baptist Church of Lafayette for John David Keller, 73, who passed away on February 24, 2024. Wayne Keller, retired pastor and brother of John David Keller, will conduct the funeral services. Kenneth Keller, brother of John, will lead the music. Elaine Elsayed will play the piano. Anyone who has ever sung with John is invited to fill the choir loft for the service. Burial will take place on Monday, March 4, 2024, in Fountain Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Keller, a resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Charles Willard Keller and the former Luzelle Brinkley. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Mary Martin Keller; children, John Stuart Keller (Jamie), David Ryan Keller, and Vernon Austin Keller; grandchildren, Evan Scott Keller (Lillian), Emily Kaitlyn Keller, Christopher Sean Keller, and Goldie Gale Keller; brothers, Wayne Keller (Linda), Kenneth Keller (Nancy), Vernon Keller (Cheryl), Warren Keller (Susan), and Todd Keller (Elizabeth); brother-in-law, John Martin; sisters-in-law, Deanie Martin Coulter (David); Debby Martin Santiago (Rocky), Terry Martin Bernstein (Mark), Pamela Anne Martin, and Julie Elizabeth Martin; and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Luzelle Keller; paternal grandparents, Muse and Bertha Keller; and maternal grandparents, Vernon and Mary Brinkley. John David Keller held a masters degree in English from McNeese State University. He had earned a bachelor’s degree in business when he first went to college, but his heart was always in teaching. More importantly, he was an avid fisherman and a cabinet builder. He loved the natural world, witnessing and partaking of its beauty and quiet wonder, from Alaska to eastern Europe. He loved working with his hands, building things that are both useful and pleasing. He found beauty and joy in his own garden, nurturing life (especially tomatoes.) He recognized and cherished the wonder of God’s creation, and works God performs through human hands. More importantly, he was a teacher of gifted English at Lafayette High School for many years. Although it was not until later in life that he entered teaching, he positively touched the lives of his students and his coworkers, and through them even more lives. As one of his former students recently said, “I am most in debt for all of the lessons, not only on how to use English correctly, but how to act responsibly and ethically as an adult entrusted with significant responsibilities.” They learned grammar and vocabulary, and to express themselves, for Mr. Keller was as adept at using the tools of language and communication as he was carpentry. He helped them to understand humanity’s beauty and faults, and to share their own ideas with clarity. In addition, he was an inexhaustible source of mother-in-law jokes. John’s fellow educators found in him not only a colleague but a friend, a steady presence and a well of joy that never dried. More importantly, he was an ordained minister at Community Baptist Church, where he served as Minister of Music and Assistant Pastor. When Community Baptist Church found its home at 800 Rue du Belier, his were among the hands that physically built it, ensuring right angles and precise measurements. Under Brother John’s guidance there were many years of Christmas and Easter cantatas. Praising God through music was his favorite form of worship. More importantly, he was a founding member of the Keller Brothers Gospel Singers, spreading the Gospel through song and charity. The fourth of six brothers who grew up singing together, Johnny sang bass in their four part harmonies. The group enjoyed entertaining people and glorifying God at whatever church or civic gathering called upon them. The Keller boys raised money for those in need rather than accepting payment for their own gain. They contributed their earnings to their mother’s most loved ministry, the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. More importantly, he was a devoted and much beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. John and Mary Keller were married for 51 years, living obediently under God, strengthening their marriage by putting God first. They reared three sons who never saw their parents fight or raise their voices at each other. They saw in their parents what it is to be faithful to God and to one’s family. John and Mary taught their sons to be obedient, and yet to think for themselves. They taught their sons integrity and faithfulness by action as well as by word. This extended later to their grandchildren. No baby was rocked by John Keller who didn’t hear The Old Rugged Cross softly sung to them, and none of them feel anything but love in that household. Most importantly, he was a faithful servant of God, saved by his faith in Jesus Christ. This, John would tell you, is what made every other aspect of his being possible. His life was a ministry, his words and actions a constant witness. In every part of his life, John David Keller was a Christian, not perfect, but faithful, and always striving to learn how to be a better follower of Christ. He shared his faith, not by persecuting others nor sanctimonious lecture, and never through a belief in his own ability, but by living for Jesus all his life, by being a humble and joyful servant of God. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Community Baptist Church of Lafayette on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 9:30 AM until the time of service. Pallbearers will be John Stuart Keller, David Ryan Keller, Vernon Austin Keller, Evan Scott Keller, Vernon Keller, and Todd Keller. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wayne Keller, Kenneth Keller, Warren Keller, Alan Gravel, Sam Gravel, and Muse Watson. The family would like to extend gratitude to his beloved physician, Dr. Britni Hebert and her staff; to his surgeons Drs. DeWitt and Haq; and to the nursing staff (who cared for our Johnny as if he were their own family) on the 3rd, 5th, and 6th floors of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Personal condolences may be sent to the Keller family at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com John David Keller and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA.

John David Keller

November 23, 1950 - February 24, 2024