John Paul Keller
John Paul Keller, 76, of Parsons, Tenn., and formerly of Anna, died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, at Decatur County Hospital in Parsons, Tenn.
He was born on Oct. 2, 1942, the son of Donald Herbert Keller and Helen Pickles Keller.
Dad wore many hats during his long productive life, but his favorite job was being a salesman.
Whether selling insurance, cars or grain bins, he loved selling so much he always marveled that people paid him to do it.
What he loved most about the job was interacting with other people and telling stories.
You couldn’t go anywhere in the Southeastern or Mid United States where he didn’t know someone or knew where the good restaurant was.
As a result of selling grain bins for over 40 years, he would always point out grain bins that he was involved with while crossing the by ways and highways of America.
Dad’s job involved a tremendous amount of driving, for which he was well known.
He would often meet with farmers one day, drive all night and meet with others the next day hundreds of miles away.
Even after his retirement, he was always up for a trip and always in a hurry to get there. His family sometimes referred to him as “gotta go.”
When not working, he enjoyed fishing and golfing. You would be hard pressed to meet a crappie fisherman who knew more about it than he.
He would always remind everyone: “if you aren’t getting hung up, you won’t catch any fish.”
When it came to golf, he was one of the few who was ever seen wearing cowboy boots on greens at the Union County Country Club.
Dad was born and grew up in Anna, Illinois, and graduated from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in 1960.
Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years.
About 30 years ago, he moved to Central Tennessee, where he continued to live the remainder of his life. He referred to the people who lived on his hill with him outside of Parsons, Tenn., as his family.
He always went out of his way to help out those around him. In the family, they referred to him as the reform school where they sent members for help. His door was always open.
Others felt he went too far and people took advantage of his good nature, but he would explain he didn’t want to go to his grave thinking that he might have helped out someone but hadn’t.
He was an active member of Sardis Ridge Baptist Church in Parsons, Tenn., where he volunteered often for building projects. Dad enjoyed a relatively healthy life and never allowed anything or anyone to slow him down.
He is survived by his son, Tim Keller (Elaina) and children, Sydney Waters, Sailor Waters, Rosemary Waters, Elias Keller, Soren Keller and Will Keller; his daughter, Becky Hebel (Robert) and children, Samantha Nelson (Jedidiah) and children, Tatum and Caleb, Brandi Grice (Tommy); his sister Linda Kay Lence (Jim), and their family, Jeff Lence (Debbie), Jeffrey Lence, Jeffrey Lence, Reese Lence, Kylee Angel, Guinevere Angel, Eleanor Angel, Levi Lence, Brian Lence, Sabrina Lence and Chris Lence (Debbie); a special cousin, Mike Keller (Marilyn); and other cousins and relatives.
John’s life was celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro. Those who attended were invited to share a story about John. Interment followed in Ebenezer Hall Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to Ebenezer Hall Cemetery or to the American Diabetes Association.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.