Richard Keller Sr.

He is survived by his loving wife Evelyn, daughter Shari Monteith (Marty), son Rich Keller Jr (Kay), granddaughters Erin O'Bier (Travis), Jana Barrett (Jesse), Deanna Andros (Christopher), great granddaughters Beatrix, Brook, Daphne, Baby Andros (due in August), and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Franklin and Alta Keller, and his sister, Connie Patterson.

Richard Keller Sr. was born July 13th 1939 in Rushville, Nebraska to Franklin and Alta Keller. He was born in the back of the local Post Office that also served as a clinic. He grew up in Alliance Nebraska, with his parents, sister Connie, and brother Frank. The family moved to Hardee County in 1957, where Richard graduated high school and met and married his future wife.

Through highschool and after graduation Richard worked for Phillips 66 Service Station where his love of cars began. He was also a member of the Auxiliary Sheriff's department in Hardee County for several years helping to reduce crime in their area.

Richard married Evelyn Blackwelder in 1962. They welcomed a daughter, Shari, in 1963 and a son, Richard Jr (Rich), in 1966. In 1979 Richard, Evelyn, and their two children moved to Melbourne, FL, where he worked for Autocraft MFG in Merritt Island, a shipping and receiving company. There he created the concept of a luggage rack for the trunk lid of a Chevy Corvette. Richard volunteered as a treasurer and ran the concession stand for the Eau Gallie High School Marching Band in the 1980s while his son whas a band member. In the early 1990s he became the manager of Orange Manor Mobile Home Park where he retired from in 2008.

Richard had a lifelong hobby of building and restoring antique cars and hot rods. He was a member of Space Coast Street Rods for many years. He enjoyed attending car shows and swapping stories with anyone he met. He collected many Hotwheels and Model cars when working with the real ones wasn't enough.

Richard was a big Coca-Cola fan, always ready to share a Coke and a smile.

Richard was a member of Eau Gallie First Baptist and carried an unwavering love of God. Richard's love for his wife, Evelyn, showed to all around them. The two were married for 63 years. To anyone who met Richard it was clear that Evelyn was his person. He treasured all of his family and loved having everyone around. He loved to play with and spoil any children around him. He was always ready for a splash in the pool, or to hand out M&Ms and peppermints from his never-ending stash. Family dinners and holidays were always loud, often with everyone talking at once. They were times filled with jokes, love, and laughter.

Richard was a jokester always ready with a play-argument for any conversation. He loved to tease and prank those around him. Most who met him would describe him as "a character," "a handful," or simply "trouble." Richard never met a stranger and shared his kindness and humor with everyone he passed. He never failed to talk about his '46 Chevy hotrod, and always left everyone with a smile on their face.

We welcome friends and family to share in a memorial service at Eau Gallie First Baptist Church (1501 W Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935) on Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at 2:00pm. Reception to follow at the church.