Robert Keith Kessell, 81 years old, passed into eternal life on Sunday, 22 June, 2014 while in care at Harbor Hospice.

Keith was born to Naomi Ruth Kessell in 1932, and was raised in Dunbar, West Virginia. After completing High School, Keith met and fell in love with Mary Josephine Merideth. Keith and Mary shared 59 years of loving marriage prior to Mary’s passing in 2010. For 30 years Keith and Mary lived in Hamilton, Ohio and were members of Lindenwald United Methodist Church there. While living in Hamilton, Keith and Mary raised their two children, Joseph Kessell and Katherine Kessell-Williams. Both Joseph and Katherine later moved to southeast Texas and in turn Keith and Mary followed to be nearer to their children and grandchildren. Making their home in Beaumont, TX, Keith and Mary became active members of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Keith was a veteran, attaining the rank of Corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era. After his Army service and until retirement, Keith was employed by Sysco Corporation as a Food and Beverage Specialist. Keith was also a ham radio operator and enthusiast, and served his community as a link in the emergency radio communications network.

Keith is preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary in 2010 and his son, Joseph in March of 2014.

Keith’s surviving family includes daughter-in-law Marsha; Joseph’s daughter, Joann, her husband Tim, their son Levi and daughter Emileigh, also Joseph’s son James and his son Travis. Keith is also survived by daughter Katherine, her husband, David, their children Shannon, Morgan, his wife Jessica and Sean and future wife Mariah.

Visitation services are to be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home in Beaumont. Funeral services will be at Wesley United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 3:00 pm.