Daniel Keys

Daniel Keys III, age 64, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2025, at his home in Arlington, Texas. He was a cherished and beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was a dedicated public servant, esteemed attorney, proud veteran, treasured colleague, and friend. Daniel was born on October 13, 1960, in Port Arthur, Texas. His life was marked by his generous heart, gentle spirit, and kind soul. He was a man of deep faith and conviction, and he was intentionally led by God’s plan and purpose for his life. Daniel went out of his way to offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it, and he lived a life defined by faith, family, forgiveness, service, integrity, and quiet excellence. He was admired not only for his accomplishments, but also for his humility, kindness, and generosity. To those who knew him, he was a quiet source of strength, support, wisdom, and compassion. The impact on his family, his community, and the many people he mentored and worked alongside will endure for generations to come.

Daniel spent his childhood between Port Arthur and Galveston, Texas. He loved being at the beach and sailing on the water. One of his childhood dreams was to be a navy man. After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1979, he received congressional nominations to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and he went on to serve in the Navy until 1984. He attended Southern University and A&M College and began his professional journey as a Judicial Law Clerk at the Louisiana Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. He received his Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center in 1987. He was listed in Who's Who Among American Law School Students and also received The Law Review Outstanding Achievement Award.

He devoted 35 years in Federal Civil Service as an attorney, bringing steadfast commitment and extensive legal expertise to every position he held. His career spanned key assignments with the U.S. Army, including the Mission and Installation Command, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Galveston District, a stint as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, and the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Europe. His dedication did not go unrecognized. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors and awards recognizing both his outstanding legal work and his steadfast commitment to excellence. Among his most distinguished awards were the Secretary of Defense Certificate of Recognition for service during the Cold War, and the U.S. Army Civilian Service Medal, along with multiple U.S. Army Commendation Awards, Commander's Special Act and Merit Awards from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and accolades from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. Daniel was a proud member of the American Bar Association, the Louisiana Bar Association, and Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity.

In his personal life, Daniel was devoted to his family. His wife Kristin was Daniel’s great love. She was his heart, his source of inspiration and his best friend. Together they embarked on many memorable adventures. Some of their favorites were Glacier National Park, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and the Ozarks. Kristin fondly recalls their morning hikes, hot air balloon rides, boating on the lake, attending sporting events, and him singing karaoke to their favorite songs. She lovingly treasures time spent with Daniel atop a mountain, breathing in the crisp air and marveling at the world around them. Kristin’s entire family welcomed Daniel into their lives, and he instantly became a beloved and cherished member of the family. He embraced Kristin’s son Cale and daughter Kara, who affectionally called him “Dan-Dan”. Along with Kristin, Cale and Kara were a great source of happiness, joy, pride, and laughter for Daniel.

From a young age, Daniel inspired and motivated those around him. A sci-fi enthusiast since childhood, he never lost his sense of curiosity and wonder. His enduring fondness for all things Star Trek was a testament to his playful and curious spirit. As a teenager, he wrote a letter to The White House detailing his concepts for naval battle submarines and indeed, The White House wrote him back about his ideas. Through his mother, Daniel developed an appreciation for music and learned to play the violin. “Danny,” as his sisters called him, cherished family gatherings and looked forward to Christmas dinners at his sister’s home where she had to have his favorite jellied cranberry sauce; whole cranberry sauce simply would not do for Danny.

Daniel was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Keys Jr. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife Kristin, his mother Shirley Navy (Veltz), children Dadriana and Sydney Keys, Kara and Cale Buchanan, grandchildren Erin Winter Keys, Ledger Daniel Buchanan, Landon Calverley and Abel Church, sisters Janice Babineaux, Rachel Williams, Channon Millian, Ida Keys, Tawana Keys Howard, brother Byron Keys, niece Kristin Williams, nephews Matthew and Christopher Babineaux, and a host of cousins and extended family, all of whom will treasure his memory and carry forth his legacy.