Weldon Eugene "Gene" Keel

Weldon Eugene Keel of Ballinger passed away at high noon Sunday March 1, 2009 at Ballinger Memorial Hospital at the age of 87.

“Gene,” as he was known to most, was born December 18, 1921 in Tell, Texas. At a young age he lost his parents, Thomas V. Keel and Florence Grimes. He then went to live at the Masonic Home in Ft. Worth. "The Home" as it was known, was probably the best thing for him under the circumstances. There he met his wife, Mary Nell Reynolds Keel (“Mimi”), whom he married Sept.12, 1942, a marriage that lasted 59 years. Nell and Gene knew each other from childhood at "The Home." He played football there where he was all state quarterback for the Mighty Mites in 1938. He also received the Herbert Joseph Award. Among the life lessons he learned from Coach Rusty Russell were "Be honest, always be nice, and respect others,” things he always practiced.

After high school he played football on a scholarship for Rice University. While in college working at Halsey Drug as a "soda jerk," he was influenced to go into pharmacy.
He then served in WW2 as a test pilot with the Army Air Corp. After the war he went to the University of Texas where he received a B.S. Degree in Pharmacy. He was a pharmacist for 50 years. During this time in Ballinger, he sponsored the Little League Baseball team, the Keel Drug "Diggers".

Our daddy was generous in spirit and enjoyed life. He loved golfing, fishing, family and traveled often. He will be missed by everyone. There will never be another like him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nell, granddaughter Stephanie Keel and all his brothers and sisters Helen, June, Edwin, Robert.

Surviving him is his daughter Mary Gene Keel Vogler & husband Mike of Georgetown, and his son, John Robert Keel & wife Peggy of Lebanon, Tennessee. Also surviving are grandchildren, Aimee Diane Walden Moyer & husband Michael of Austin; Kelli Lynn Walden Wilder & husband Chris of Lago Vista; Todd Reynolds Keel of Dallas; Jeff McMillen & wife Nichole, Laura McMillen both of Lebanon, Tennessee; great-grandchildren, Madison LaVerne Walden & Benjamin Laird Eugene Wilder, Chloe Nell & Phoebe Gene Moyer & Gavin McMillen, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends during visitation Monday, March 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lange Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist in Ballinger with Rev. Joe Chamness officiating. Graveside services will be at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday in the IOOF Cemetery in Georgetown.