Roll Call Tribute

James Lewis "Jim" Keller 

March 18, 1941 - September 15, 2024 

Jim was born in Atlanta, TX on March 18, 1941, to Catherine and John G. Keller ’36. He and his older brother John threw many a ball through high school In Terrell, TX, where they grew up & played on the THS State Championship team. Jim went on to play quarterback for A&M in the early 60’s. Thinking that he wanted to be a civil engineer like his dad, he started out his studies that way. But his love of football trumped that, so he focused on Physical Education (now Kinesiology) aiming toward coaching. After serving out his military commission, 2nd Lieutenant Keller returned to A&M and eventually became coach of the (then existing) Freshman Football team. That job lasted five years and ended with his young players winning the Freshman Southwest Conference Championship. After his boss was fired, he went on to other career opportunities, such as being a real estate broker and bank loan officer. This then led to his becoming President of Western National Bank. He really enjoyed his customers and co-workers and loved seeing new businesses established. Some of these are still going strong today. After banking took a downturn and the local economy was hard hit, the bank was sold to another entity. It began to appear that God had other plans for Jim Keller.

He had the good fortune to join in the fundraising purpose of the Texas A&M Foundation, where he worked for 30 years and loved every minute. The first many years he handled development for the College of Education. Following these happy years, his office relocated to the Foundation building and he headed up Corporate and Foundation Relations, playing his part in helping the organization reach and exceed several Capital Campaign goals.

The day after he graduated from A&M and received his military commission, he married a Sam Houston graduate named Suzy Snowden. In the latter part of his military service, they had their first child Kenny. Daughter Kathryn was born 3 years later, after they had moved back to Bryan. The family was blessed to be totally immersed in a wonderful nearby church for over 35 years, known as St. Paul’s UMC. It is now the location of the Salvation Army. Also during the children’s growing up years, he loved coaching Kenny and other young boys in Little League baseball for several seasons.

Son Kenny and his wife Leah reside in Canton, TX, and have 3 adult children, Kyler, Kavin, and Katy Jo. Daughter Kathryn Keller Buntyn and her husband Bill are in Franklin, TN, and have raised Blake and Braden. Three of the grandchildren are working toward A&M degrees.

Before his illness, Jim taught a Sunday School class and served as a Deacon and an Elder at Parkway Baptist Church. His faith and positive attitude were among his strongest traits. This church will be the location of a Celebration of Life for him on Monday, September 23, at 11:00, with a visitation at 10:00.