Farrar Nichols Keetch

Farrar Nichols Keetch lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, July 17, 2016.  He died peacefully at his home on Lake Belton surrounded by his family.  Farrar was born on February 1, 1929 in Troy, Texas to Willie Mack (Nichols) Keetch and Harry Grant Keetch.  He went to public schools in Troy, Bruceville-Eddy and Axtell, Texas.  He left high school to join the Marines at the age of 17.  Farrar served his country as a machine gunner in the Korean conflict and was a Purple Heart recipient for a wound he received in action against the enemy on September 1, 1951.  After returning from Korea, he received his high school diploma and attended Baylor University.  In 1953 Farrar met the love of his life, Barbara.   They were married on June 18, 1954.  He served in the Marine Reserves and achieved the rank of master gunnery sergeant. In addition to his military service, Farrar was a laboratory technician at the Veterans’ Administration Hospitals in Waco and Temple.  After retiring from the Temple VA and the Marine Reserves, he built a home on Lake Belton where he enjoyed many years of fun with family and friends.  He was a faithful member of Western Hills Church of Christ. Farrar was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Jim Mack Keetch, Harry Grant Keetch Jr., Welba Keetch, Marcella Slaughter and Christine Duty.  He is survived by his wife Barbara and daughters Janece Ann Rolfe (Paul) and Lisa Keetch Donnelly (Joe).  He is also survived by three grandchildren; Jim Fischer Donnelly, Monica Rolfe and Natalie Rolfe and nieces and nephews, Kevin Grant Keetch (Robin) and Kimberly Keetch Gunter (Chris). The family thanks Dr. Alan Gowan and the entire oncology department at Scott & White Hospital, Kindred Hospice and Annette Amerson for the tender and compassionate care they extended to Farrar and the entire family. There will be a viewing at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home at 3110 Airport Road, Temple from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday, July 19th.  A service will be held at Western Hills Church of Christ at 1:00 PM Wednesday, July 20th.  Interment with military honors will follow at Rosemound Cemetery at 3201 South 12th Street, Waco at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Farrar’s honor may be made to Love of Christ c/o Western Hills Church of Christ, 210 North General Bruce Drive, Temple, TX 76504 or Arms of Hope at 21300 State Highway 16 North, Medina, TX 78055.