Gregory D. Keyser

Gregory Don Keyser went home to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Greg was born in Michigan to Effie ‘Skip’ and Orrie ‘Dutch’ Keyser on August 17, 1947. His parents preceded him in death in 2016 and 1989 respectively.

Greg grew up in Portage Michigan and was well loved by his parents and older brother Bob (Robert Keyser). He graduated from the Portage school system and then attended Ferris State College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also joined the Army Reserves in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1975 as a sharpshooter. 

While at Ferris in Big Rapids Michigan, he met the love of his life, Helen Rae Wheeler, and they were married on October 30, 1969. In the next year, they had their only son, Todd Gregory Keyser. Greg and Helen moved to Kalamazoo early in their marriage and Greg worked at and eventually was co-owner of Engel Auto Sales. He also dabbled as a stockbroker after selling the dealership and then as a real estate agent in the late 80’s to 1998. He always enjoyed cars and eventually went back to working at Metro Toyota as a Sales Associate. After Greg retired, he then enjoyed driving cars for Jaguar for servicing requests as a part time job.

When their son, Todd, was young, Greg and Helen moved to Lawton Michigan where Greg found a new hobby collecting decoy ducks. Their home was in a lovely neighborhood yet private and full of trees with lots of bird watching! They loved the area that was close enough to work and good schools. Greg was supportive of his son’s hobbies like riding dirt bikes and ATVs and found them to be good action sports for Todd. He liked helping to find the next best ‘toy’! 

Greg and Helen loved classic boats and enjoyed going to boat shows and owned a classic Chris Craft wooden boat named “Well Done”. They enjoyed taking the boat out with long time friends, Rick and Kim. Greg and Helen moved to a condo after retirement in Saugatuck where he collected classic toy boats and loved finding unique classic boat memorabilia and books. 

Greg loved the lake life and relished watching the boat action from his deck on Kalamazoo Lake! He continued to enjoy bird watching and seeing unusual species visit the water and local area. After Helen preceded him in death in 2014, Greg made new friends in the area by trying new things like a craft beer class where he made a version aptly labeled “Well Done” after his Chris Craft boat. He made new friends that he loved being together with and making new experiences in boating and visiting different restaurants and bars as well as travels up north and down south to Florida! 

Greg leaves behind his son, Todd Keyser and wife, Stacy, as well as his adored two grandsons, Sam and Levi Keyser. Greg happily watched soccer games and a few ventures into baseball, football and basketball. He loved seeing the boys with their wake boat and skills wake surfing on the water. His love of boats passed on to his son and grandsons in spades. He was so very proud of Todd and his grandsons and loved hearing about their triumphs, challenges and escapades. 

Greg is also survived by his brother, Robert Keyser and wife, Yvette, of Colorado as well as his nephews, Robert and Scott Keyser and niece, Jennifer Keyser and a grand-nephew and niece, Ben and Emma Keyser. Also surviving are his family through marriage to Helen Keyser: sister-in-law, Sue Burns and husband, Tim, brothers-in-law, John Wheeler and Randy (Carla) Wheeler, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Last but certainly not least, he is also survived by many local friends in Saugatuck and Holland area who loved and looked out for him in his last chapter of life. 

Friends are welcome to join the family for visitation on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 1pm to 2pm, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009. A short service will take place following visitation at 2pm. The graveside service will be held at Mt Ever Rest Memorial Park, South, 3941 South Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008.