John Edwin Keller

Dr. John Edwin “Doc” Keller, 79, of Baytown, went to be with the Lord Monday, June 24, 2019, at his residence surrounded by family and friends.

John was born September 7, 1939 in Fayette, Alabama, to parents; Edwin and Trilla Davis Keller.  John was a former resident of Houston and Austin and has resided in Baytown for the past 51 years.  He was a graduate of Smiley High School class of 1957 and went on to receive his PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1968 from the University of Texas at Austin.   Immediately following college, John was hired by Exxon as the Laboratory Director for Exxon Research and Engineering where he worked for over 10 years.  He then went on to open his own business, Environ Express Laboratories, Inc. in LaPorte and operated it for over 35 years.  He was a longtime member of Missouri Street Church of Christ; serving on the Benevolence Committee, Visitation Committee, Welcoming Committee, as well as a food pantry volunteer.  He also served as Past President of both the Baytown Symphony and Bay Area Texas EXES, and was a proud lifetime member of the University of Texas EXES.  John enjoyed serving the Lord, spending time with his family and friends, being computer tech support for many, sailing, and you could find him most Saturday mornings eating breakfast with family and friends at The Original Taqueria.

Dr. Keller was preceded in death by his parents, wife of over 50 years:  Gladys Louise Bohot Keller, sister:  Betty Joyce Goss, and brother-in-law:  Richard “Dick” Goss.  He is survived by his wife:  Ronda Hargrave Keller, daughters:  Sheri Keller Thomas and husband Stephen and Karen Keller Gilbert and husband Matt, stepsons:  Christopher Hargrave and wife Mariza and Brandon Hargrave and wife Sarah, grandchildren:  Keller Thomas Smoke and husband Joseph, Emily Rene’ Thomas, Gretchen Louise Gilbert, and Taylor Mae Hargrave, numerous other relatives, and friends.

The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the Missouri Street Church of Christ in Baytown.  A celebration of life will follow at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the Missouri Street Church of Christ in Baytown with interment following at Sterling-White Cemetery in Highlands.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Edwin Keller, please visit our floral store.