Curtis Ray Keller

Mr. Curtis Ray Keller, of Rolla, Mo, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at home in Rolla, Missouri. He was 67 years of age.

Curtis was born Thursday, August 11, 1955 in Waynesville, Missouri, the son of the late Clarence and Jaunita Wood Keller.

On September 18, 2018 at Rolla, Mo he was united in marriage to Kathi Phelps. She survives at the family home.

Curtis is survived by his wife Kathi of Rolla, Mo., one brother Gary Smith of Vichy, Mo., two sisters, Wanda Carter of St. James, Mo. and Opal Cross of Doolittle, Mo. He is further survived by nieces and nephews including Lisa, Sandi and Cherryl. Special brother-in-law Chester McDowell of Rolla, Mo., three best friends: Kenny Smith, Ron Funke and Doug Woody, along with Paul Hand, who Curtis said was the closest thing he ever had to being a brother, they  trucked together, side by side.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Peter, Jerry and Bobby Joe Keller, and two sisters: Donna Smith, and Regina Kay McDowell, along with his longtime companion Virginia Sue Gaddy.

Curtis was the most easy-going guy you would ever want to meet. He drove a dump truck for McDowell Trucking for over 43 years. He  hauled rock and asphalt out of  Southwest Quarry for the McDowell Family many years, until they sold to Melrose several years ago. He loved being outdoors fishing,  enjoying nature and working on lawn mowers.  Curt had a special love for dogs, especially big dogs, and he had several over the years.  On Friday nights, his buddies, Kenny, Ron and Doug met in his garage for deep discussion of current affairs, no topic was too hard to overcome. Curtis traveled coast to coast with Chester, racing Chester's race cars and following the NASCAR races. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Curtis Keller will lie in state at 10:00 a.m. Saturday June 3, 2023 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

Memorials are requested to Kathi Keller and may be made at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

A Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday at Jones Funeral Home in Saint James, Mo. with Craig Ripply Officiating. 

Pallbearers will be Chris Harris, Benji Fitzsimmons, Clarence Spanky Wiese, Fred Turner, Austin Keeney and Terry Keeney.  Honorary Pallbearer Frank McKee.   Burial will be in Big Piney Cemetery, Newburg, MO.

Online condolences may be made to the family at https://www.jonesfunerals.com/

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

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