Johnny Ray Keel

Johnny Ray Keel, age 63, of Elm Mott, passed away early Thursday morning, June 29, 2006 in Waco. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Donald A. Scott officiating. Graveside services will be held 12 noon Monday at the Mooreville Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Keel was born April 6, 1943 in Hubbard, the son of Ernest "Pete" and Frances Lynette (Whiddon) Keel. He attended schools in Midway, South Waco, and University. On April 17, 1960 in Waco, he was united in marriage to Judy Bathea McLemore. He worked as a truck driver for Herring Transportation in Waco for over twenty years and then became an independent truck driver. He later worked for Awalt Wholesale in Fairfield for several years until his retirement in 2001. Johnny loved camping, fishing, hunting, four wheeling, playing cards and horse swapping. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a member of a Local Union #745 and a former member of the Waco Bass Club. His parents and two brothers, Jack and Ernest "Gene" Keel, all precede him in death. Survivors include his beloved wife of 46 years, Judy Keel of Elm Mott; two sons, Johnny Lynn Keel and wife Elizabeth of West and Michael Wayne Keel of Dallas; former daughter-in-law, Kim McClinton of West; two brothers, Joe Keel and wife Bettye of Axtell and Jerry Keel and wife Claudette of Leroy; one sister, Jeanette Chane and husband Thomas of Bellmead; brother-in-law, Dwain McLemore and wife Barbara of Red Oak; sisters-in-law, Ruth Keel of Gholson and Clara Keel of Bremond; three grandchildren, Tyler Wayne Keel, Whitney Elizabeth Keel and Shelby Lynn Keel; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers will be Thomas Chane, Michael Kennedy, Stuart Hancock, Frank Scott, Ben Rendek, Billy Willis, Johnny Williams and Shannon McLemore. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Dodd, Dean Snyder, Sims Richter, Floyd Michalk and Gary Enders. Memorials may be made to St. Martin's Catholic Church Building Fund or to the charity of your choice.