Charles William Keller

1957 - 2021

Charles William (Chuck) Keller

Charles William (Chuck) Keller passed away from Covid-19 on February 5th, in Sun City Arizona, with his beloved partner of 18 years, Deana Carter, at his side.

Well-loved brother to Frankie Ewing (David), Paula Graham (Rich), Jon Keller, Linda Harris (Kevin), and Mary Keller; uncle to Heather Ewing Veitch (Bill), Amy Ewing, Carter Graham, Garrett Graham, Shara Graham DeVelder (Scott), Jenny Keller Killham (George), Julie Keller Threatte (David), Jessie Keller, Elise Lovato Martinez (Darrell), Lauren Ivie Mills (Eric), and Marina Ivie; great uncle to eight. Chuck was preceded in death by his eldest brother Rick (Big Mary) and by his parents, June and Charles Keller.

Chuck was born November 16, 1957, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; the youngest of seven children. The family moved to Farmington when Chuck was four, following his father's retirement from the United States Air Force.

After graduating from Sewanee Academy, Sewanee, Tennessee, Chuck returned to Farmington where he pumped gas for Four Corners Aviation. Following in the footsteps of his father and both older brothers, Chuck then earned his pilot's license. He flew for Four Corners Aviation and remained friends with owners Garth Greenlee and Morris Wilson. Chuck subsequently flew for Quadco, Casino Express, Western Pacific, Ross Aviation, and finally Southwest Airlines, retiring from Southwest in August 2020.

Chuck always had a smile and clearly enjoyed life. He and Deana were just settling into their retirement phase with plans to travel and share new adventures. He loved to watch the quail skittering through their back yard while he drank coffee and worked Sudoku puzzles. Thinking of him always brings a smile to everyone's face, so let's all rejoice that we got to share our journey in this life with such a lovely man. He will be missed.

He enjoyed flying his Cessna 182 and playing Bunco with a crazy bunch of women.

A Memorial Service will be held at Northwest Community Church, 16615 N. 43rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85053 on March 4, 2021 at 4 p.m. MST and will live stream at https://www.nccphx.org/live-stream for those wishing to attend remotely.

Another Memorial Service will be held in Farmington, NM on Saturday, March 13th at the Calvary Chapel, 6925 E Main, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Juan College Foundation, 4601 College Blvd, Farmington, NM 87402 for the Keller Family Scholarship.