Terry Roderick Keeling

Funeral Services for Terry Keeling, 82, of Leona, will be held at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 1, 2020, at Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas. The service will be led by Pastors John Burchell and Jerry House. Graveside will be at Evans Chapel Cemetery.

Terry Roderick Keeling was born on June 9, 1938 to Roderick Thomas "R.T." and Ruby (House) Keeling at the Heath Clinic in Madisonville, Texas.

Terry graduated from Centerville High School in 1956. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Education in Agricultural Education from Sam Houston State University in 1960. After earning his degrees, Terry managed a feedlot and feed mill for a few years. He spent two years as a teacher and basketball coach. In 1969, Terry, Elsie, his first wife, and daughter Julia, moved to Houston. In 1975, their son Jason was born. Terry became a Real Estate Broker and spent the next 36 years selling farms and rural properties. During this time, he also volunteered annually at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 25 years. When he retired in 2005, he moved back to the Leona area, where he was able to pursue his hobbies. He was also reacquainted with a former schoolmate, Kathy Seale, whom he married in 2014.

Terry enjoyed photography, writing, fishing, old western movies, hunting, country music, and horticulture. His appreciation of wildflowers led to his involvement with the Leon County Master Gardener program. He loved genealogy and published several collections of short stories and histories about the families to which he was related. His five published books are “Tales of Jackasses, Bee-Hunters and Coffins,” “The Little Church in the Wildwood: Preachers and Fried Chicken,” “When I Get to Be King,” “Johnnie Loves Fannie,” and “Bits and Pieces.” His work was also published in the Houston Chronicle, Texas Gardner, Country, Farm and Ranch Living, Reminisce, Good Old Days, and others.

Terry went to be with his Lord early Tuesday morning, July 28, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roderick Thomas and Ruby and brother Thomas Edwin. He is survived by his wife of six years, Kathy, daughter Julia Teter and husband Doug Teter of Hilltop Lakes, son Jason Keeling of Needville, and three grandchildren Bailey Teter of College Station, Zachry Teter and wife Hailie Teter of Katy, Weston Teter of Hilltop Lakes, his brother Royce Keeling and wife Sue of Evans Chapel, nephews Stan Keeling and wife Brenda Keeling of Leona, John Keeling of Leona, and numerous cherished friends.

Terry requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Leona Lord’s Pantry, (121 N Leona Blvd, Leona, TX 75850), Evans Chapel United Methodist Church (8219 FM 2485 N., Normangee, Tx 77871), Evans Chapel Cemetery Association (8167 CR 410, Normangee, Tx 77871), or another local charity in his honor.

Arrangements are under the direction of Walters Funeral Home in Centerville, Texas.