Raymond Michael Keller

Raymond Michael Keller passed away on November 5, 2024. Ray was born on July 24, 1959 to Arthur Philip and Madge Clarinda (Clampet) Keller of Tamaroa, Illinois. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Dawn Kimbrelly (McPhail) Keller and his two beloved pets, Pearl and Mango.
He is survived by his siblings; Phyllis Madge Holland, Ronald Arthur Keller, Eugene Louis Keller, Patricia Elaine Foist, Carol Joan Woodside, and Lee Ellen Keller. Ray was preceded in death by his brother Donald Edward Keller and two infant siblings Arthur Philip Keller, Jr. and Charlene Kay Keller. He is also survived by his in-laws Debbie and Doy McPhail, Jr., Doy McPhail III, Deanna (McPhail) Kreider, Matt Kreider and Darbylee Kreider.
Ray graduated from Tamaroa High School in 1977. He served a full tour of duty in US Navy Submarine Squadron Four, on the USS Grayling and on February 22, 1982 passed across the North Pole. He also did a stint with the US Marines.
After the service Raymond Keller began his career following his early interest in environmental science. Having earned his Bachelor's degree in Marine Biology from College of Charleston in 1988. He later earned a degree in radial chemistry from UNLV and then became Department Head at ExR, Inc. providing technical support to the Department of Energy through interpretation of laboratory analytical data and laboratory audits. Ray also spent time at the Savannah River site chasing radionucleotides through the ground water among the loblolly pines at a government nuclear enrichment site for tritium.
Ray married Dawn Kimbrelly McPhail on June 7, 2002. The two met in Augusta, Georgia and moved back to the Ft Myers area where Ray started a construction company, Aquarius Florida, LLC, building water features.
Ray was the founder and owner of GoodCat™, LLC, an ISO 9001 FDA registered compounding laboratory. GoodCat, founded in 2009, is a producer of premium American-made E-Liquids for use in various types of electronic cigarettes. Ray formulated many of the flavors produced at GoodCat and was known for his keen intellect, his diligence in research and his inventive problem-solving.
Ray founded GoodCat Analytical, LLC in 2017. GCA is an ISO 17025:2017 3918.01 A2LA accredited testing laboratory. He also owns E-Liquid Distributors, LLC, a marketing, sales, and distribution company and C & C Apothecary, a purveyor of fine e-liquids. Ray later became a founding member of Cannabis Life Sciences Holdings in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His most recent venture was creating Stag Ranch, LLC and Keller Cattle Co. in Arcadia, Florida. Stag Ranch has a variety of wild animals roaming the 300 acre high fenced ranch and pastures full of healthy cattle. It was Ray and Dawn's plan to build a house and retire to Arcadia to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Ray was also a great lover of music and was gifted with the ability to play the bass guitar, guitar, steel guitar, banjo, and harmonica. He played music as a young man and in later years was an original member of a feel good band, White Socks and Flip Flops.
Ray was a man with a high intellect, a warm heart, and a great sense of humor. He was generous to all of his friends and acquaintances and genuinely cared for all of their well-being. Ray tenaciously approached each new challenge with his intrinsic curiosity for looking beyond the horizon in exploring new thought, different direction and undiscovered opportunity while applying his creative flair. Anyone who spoke with him was better for it.
Raymond M. Keller's inventions include: Patented formula for vaporizable component carrier system. Patented process for extracting and conversion of cannabinoids. Patented cannabidiol formulation.
His certifications include: Radiochemical analysis UNLV, Nevada Nuclear Association; ISO 9000 Auditor; National Association Testing Authorities; American Association of Laboratory Accreditation; American Botanical Council; and American Chemical Society.
A Celebration of Life for Ray will take place on Saturday November 23, 2024 at 12:00 at the Keller residence in Bonita Springs. Family and friends are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Ray's love for animals with donations to support the Gulf Coast Humane Society, 2010 Arcadia St, Fort Myers, FL 33916 or by visiting https://gulfcoasthumanesociety.org/
Arrangements are being handled by the Shikany Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.