Bob lived for the last 8 years in Soddy Daisy, TN. Prior to that he lived in Chattanooga for 40 years. He was born in Ten Mile, TN, on February 4, 1938, and grew up in Athens, TN.
He was a member at First Baptist Church, Soddy Daisy and active in the Koinonia Sunday School Class. He was a past member of Tyner United Methodist Church and New Hope Presbyterian Church.
Bob retired from the TVA. He also retired as a Major from the Tennessee Army National Guard, serving more than 28 years.
He was an avid tennis player, having been a member of both Manker Patten and the Hixson Racquet Club.
He graduated from McMinn County High School, attended University of Tennessee, graduated from Cleveland State Community College and received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech University. He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvil Roy and Beatrice Haire Keylon; his siblings, James Reuben, Betty Burke, William Franklin, Karen, Tommy and David.
Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Alberta McKinney Keylon; daughter and her family, Suzanne (Denton) Ridge, Grace (Thomas) Becktold and Suzanna Becktold; daughter and her family, Stacey (John) Reid, Alicia (Brandon) Peeples, Amelia and Everett Peeples, Andrew (Rachel) Weyler, Sophia and Oliver Weyler, and Katherine Reid.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm on Thursday, April 9, at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors and his Pastor Brandon Johns presiding.
The family would like to say a special thanks to Alexian Healthcare and Hospice of Chattanooga for caring for Bob in his last days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Soddy Daisy, 10185 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 or www.fbcsoddydaisy.org or to your favorite charity.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
The arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.
