Joseph E. Keller April 19, 1960 to May 9, 2017 Born to Steve and Maureen Keller in Tacoma, WA, Joe attended Mount Tahoma High class of '78. Joe had several careers till he joined the Washington State National Guard. He found that serving his country was the most fulfilling job possible. Joe married Kecia Vance. Their children Vance and Alyssa Keller would be Joe's greatest achievement in life. He was a devoted and dedicated father even when the Guard took him to Iraq and Washington, DC. Joe will always be remembered for his love of baseball, ACDC, and his sense of humor. Preceded in death by his father Steve. Survived by his mother Maureen Keller, his children Vance and Alyssa, siblings Colleen, Steve, Theresa and Lillian. We will miss and love you forever Joe. Services 11:00 AM, Monday, May 22, 2017 at Mountain View Valley Chapel: 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. Interment 1:00 PM at Tahoma National Cemetery: 18600 SE 240th St, Kent WA, 98042.

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Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on May 19, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH KELLER

Sponsored by Mountain View Funeral Home - Tacoma.

15 Entries

Barbara G Stacey

May 13, 2024

Missing your smile and laughter

Jacqueline Cheatham

October 24, 2018

R.I.P. Joe

Brenda

October 23, 2018

I have only just learned of Joe's passing and am heartbroken. I met Joe in the early 90s in the mortgage business and admired him greatly. He was my mentor and like a big brother to me, which came with support, protection, and lots of teasing.
Joe was one of the best men I have ever known, so dedicated to his family, hard working, and always true to himself. Joe was the perfect combination of intelligence and humor, and always kind. I was happy to see him redirect his career to the military where he found ulfillment; his instincts and discipline must have been invaluable to them. I have never heard a bad word spoken about Joe, he had something positive for everyone.
He adored his children and was always so proud of them.I am deeply sorry for his family's loss.

George Stacey

August 20, 2017

Joe my friend you have walked on. I treasure the memories that we made and shared thru the years.
Vance I left you the Native American prayer for your scrapbook your mom made years ago just as I retired from the military. Your father lived these words. We will all meet again. Travel the good road and walk in peace my brother

Barbara Stacey

August 20, 2017

On this road called life I believe God places people in and out of our lives for a purpose. Sometimes we never know why. I knew Joe through my husband's work when he was just a green LT. When my husband retaired we all lost track of each other but had many great laughs and memories. People change, circumstances to, but we still remember the guy who brought so many laughs. I keep his family in my prayers for comfort, sending love and prayers. Joe, you and your family made sacrifices as you served your country with honour. R.I.P. my friend

George Stacey

July 20, 2017

Served with Joe from 1988 to 1995 with both 803d Armor and 303d Armor, will miss you and your humor my friend. As the Native Americans say Joe has walked on. Walk on my Brother.

Maggie Friant/Stahl

May 22, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Its been many years and Im sure you dont remember me but Im Steve Seaworths niece ( my mom and dad were Louise n Walt) i will keep you in my prayers. R.I.P. Joe

Chris Slone

May 21, 2017

Sorry for your families loss. Joe was loved by so many and will be truly missed. Prayers to all of you.

I haven't ssen Joe for many years but do remember he was a joy to be around.

He will now be smiling down on everyone.

May 20, 2017

We are going to miss you, Joe. You and your family were such wonderful neighbors. We appreciated your sense of humor and marveled how you could wash your car in the cold of winter while barefoot and in shorts as though it were summer! While there were times your job took you away for periods of time, when you were stationed here, you spent time with your family and the school activities (i.e. agreeing to chaperon for the 5th grade camp and supervising a cabin full of energetic boys.... including Christopher). (I had the easy job with a cabin full of girls). We enjoyed the family Christmas cards and adventures of growing kids and a houseful of various animals and their rescue stories.

May God's Peace be with you and your family and know our lives were enriched by getting to know you and your family.

Margie, Wayne, Christopher, Sarah and Eric

Michael Altman

May 19, 2017

Rest in peace my freind,

May 19, 2017

I'll be missing all that humor. You were a great guy to have known. Wish I had kept more in touch after HS.

jacqueline cheatham

May 19, 2017

my thoughts and prayers are with the Keller family at this most difficult time.May you find Peace and Comfort with your Family~Friends~and extended Family..I attended Mt Tahoma from 1979-1981 but still knew of Joseph and his friend John..I remember always laughter!!

Pete Hoffman

May 19, 2017

Freshman year at MT we did the Wizard of Oz. I was the Tin Man and Joe was the Lion. His craziness and sense of humor made it a pure joy to be around Joe. RIP my Brother. I miss you!

Ken Lindberg

May 19, 2017

Jammin' Joe Keller was the name I bestowed on the man who called me Kenny Guitar Lindberg. Though we never spoke of it, I think we secretly wanted to start an ACDC tribute band.

The obit omits a segment of Joe's professional life that was how we became connected: Consumer Finance and Mortgage Lending. Joe was working for Associates when he joined me at Old Stone Credit in 1989. His ready wit, helpful nature and problem-solving mind made him popular with customers and co-workers alike. Not content to just do his job, Joe volunteered his time to two industry trade organizations; the Washington Association of Mortgage Brokers (WAMB) and the Puget Sound Mortgage Lenders Association (PSMLA). For the latter, Joe took on responsibility of writing the group's monthly newsletter, back in the days when such things were copied onto paper, placed in an envelope and mailed to you. If you were fortunate enough to be on the Keller Family Christmas card list and received his annual newsletter, you can imagine how lively and entertaining the mortgage business seemed with Joe writing about it. However, the structure and conformity of a military career was too much for sporadic and unpredictable mortgage industry to complete with and he opted to make the National Guard his full-time job.

The obit is spot on about Vance and A.J. being his greatest accomplishments. If you wanted to get Joe talking for half an hour without taking a breath, just ask him how his children were doing- He loved you two so much.

In closing, rest well soldier. Thank you for your service and for the training you provided to others, mostly just leading by example. I am saddened by your early departure from planet Earth, but many lives are richer for having known you. I can't help but smile when I think you, so while I am sad right now, that will eventually pass and I will continue to smile whenever I think of you.

God be with you til we meet again. Ken Lindberg

May 19, 2017

So very sorry to hear of "Joey's" passing. Even tho it has been many years I remember him like yesterday. Sending love and prayers to the Keller family from Montana. Your cuz Cathy Stenger Gaynor

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