G. P. "Jeep" Kiel

G. P. "Jeep" Kiel, age 83 of Seguin, Texas, passed away on November 13, 2025. Jeep was born on August 6, 1942, in Seguin, Texas, to Edith (Olson) and Garfield Kiel.
Growing up in Seguin, Texas, Jeep was a 1960 graduate of Seguin High School. In 1964, he graduated from Texas Lutheran College (TLU) and later earned his master's degree from Texas State University. He will be remembered as a three-sport letterman at Seguin High School, where he played outfield for the Matadors' State Championship baseball team.
On June 12, 1964, Jeep married Barbara Ann (Babs) Buck at Emanuel's Lutheran Church. Currently, Babs and Jeep are active members of Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. Jeep was actively involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry for many years, where he was blessed by the impact of the prisoners on him and by his impact on them.
After a brief time in Dallas, Jeep spent his career in Seguin as Chamber of Commerce Manager, and as a realtor with several companies. Later, he worked as an educator at the Seguin ISD Alternative School, an educator at Texas Lutheran University, and later in the Development Office at Texas Lutheran University.
Jeep enjoyed former memberships in the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Seguin Noon Lions Club. He will also be remembered for his long-term service on the First Commercial Bank Board of Directors.
Along with his prison ministry, some of his most precious times were spent among family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Many good times and fun-loving days were spent fishing with family and friends, with Port Mansfield being a favorite.
Jeep is preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and fathers-in-law, Shirley Buck Vajdos, Warren Buck, Don Buck, and Joe Vajdos, brothers-in-law, Marty Hoffman, and Butch Buck, and wife Carolyn.
Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Babs Kiel; daughter, Linda McClendon and husband, Charles; son Jay Kiel; grandchildren, Ashley Sawyer, Samantha Kiel, Katie Ledford and husband Garrett, Rachel Sapien and husband Isai, Dylan Kiel, Cassidy Kiel, Cole McClendon and wife Jane, and Carli Odom and husband Matt; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sisters, Beverly Kiel Hoffman and Karen Kiel Wallock; brother, Ken Kiel and wife Teresa; sister-in-law, Debbie Volpe; brothers-in-law, Dee Buck and wife Terry, Roger Buck and wife Ruthy, and Dennis Buck and partner Pedro Andrade; special family friend, Marcia Kiel; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving family members and a host of friends.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at Tres Hewell Mortuary, from 5 to 7 p.m. A memorial service celebrating Jeep's life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel's Lutheran Church with the Reverend Megan D. Elliott and the Reverend Marcus Bigott officiating. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.
For those who desire, the service may be livestreamed at www.youtube.com/@emanuelslutheranseguin/streams.
Private interment will be held later.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kiel Scholarship Fund, Texas Lutheran University, Development Office, 1000 West Court Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155-9989 or to Spirit of Joy, 416 Dolle Ave, Seguin, Texas, 78155.