Dale Franklin Keller, Jr.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dale Franklin Keller, Jr.,76, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2019.  He formerly resided in Lexington, KY; Las Vegas, NV; and Northern Virginia.  Dale was born December 16, 1942, in Greensboro, NC, the oldest child of Billie Kornegay Keller and Dale Franklin Keller, Sr. 

As a Distinguished Military graduate, Dale received his B.A. degree in English from Davidson College (’65).  He joined the U.S. Army in 1965 embarking on a 20-year journey in the military.  Dale is a veteran of the Vietnam War who served as an information advisor to the Vietnamese Army’s 18th Division.  He was stationed at various bases nationally and abroad including with the 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg, NC, and the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) headquarters in Kaiserslutern and Heidelberg, Germany.  He was most proud of his assignments as a Public Affairs Officer at the Pentagon News Desk and Defense Nuclear Agency.  Dale retired as Lieutenant Colonel and he earned several medals, including Vietnamese Staff Service Medal First Class, Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal. 

Following his time in service, Dale was a small business owner assisting with disaster relief and consulting for the U.S. Department of Energy.  He was also a successful entrepreneur working with energy and electrical businesses. 

He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church and most recently served as a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington.  His presence was immediate with his generous heart and zest for life.  Dale was an accomplished world traveler.  He loved to golf, fish, and looked for new adventures driving his cars, including track racing. 

Dale is survived by a wife, Glenda; his brother Robert Keller, Hyattsville, MD; three children: Erin Keller Barbee, Wilmington, NC, Dale Robert Keller (Samantha), Reno, NV, and Benjamin Richard Keller (Micaela), Las Vegas, NV; and three grandchildren: Gracen Wren, Avery Ellen, and Benjamin Reilly.  He is preceded in death by his former wife of 20 years, Carolyn Kay Keller; and his parents. 

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 17th, at 11 am in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary.  A reception will follow.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, 125 S 3rd St., Wilmington, NC  28401.