Terence Martin Keller

Terrance (Terry) Martin Keller, a career U.S. Navy veteran who retired from military service in the early 1990s and eventually served as a substitute teacher for many years in Spring, Texas, died Wednesday, November 29, at the Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham.  He was 72 years old.

Terry was born on September 16, 1950 at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, to his loving parents Omar Christian and Darlene Marjorie (Martin) Keller.  He was raised in Fremont, Virginia, and in 1968 he graduated from Fremont High School where he participated on the swim team.  While in high school he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America program.  Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have achieved this rank that requires a lengthy review process.

After graduating from high school, he had a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Armed Services.  Terry started in the Navy Reserve, transferred to the Air Force, and finally settled in the Navy in 1979 until 1991 when he retired from military service.

During his final 12-years of Naval service, he worked at a Cryptologic Technician (CT), an enlisted job specialty performing a wide range of tasks supporting national intelligence-gathering efforts, writing and solving codes and signal intelligence.  As a CT, Terry was required to obtain and maintain security clearances because of the highly classified and secure work environment requiring restricted access.

In 1984, while on military leave visiting his sister Marjorie Keller Brinegar of Cypress, Texas, he was introduced to the love of his life, Beverly Courtney Cano, a single mother who with  her two teenage sons lived in Spring, Texas.  Terry and Beverly were married in Spring on November 29, 1986.  In his final days, Terry held off death so that, as Beverly suggested, he could "romantically" die on the day of their 36th Anniversary.

As a newly-wed in 1986, Terry acquired an "instant family" that included Beverly's sons Allan Cano, 15, Jonathan Cano, 14, and three pets, a cat, dog and hamster.  Then, in December 17, 1987, the family grew larger when son Michael Omar Keller was born.

When Terry and Beverly married, the family lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, until Terry's retirement in 1991.  When he retired, Terry kept a long-standing promise to move the family back to Texas.

Their first stop was four years in College Station to obtain college degrees.  Terry obtained a teacher's certificate in business and math at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.  Beverly earned a degree in business with emphasis in business computer programming from Texas A&M University.  Meanwhile, Michael Omar was attending elementary school and the older sons were off to college.

With college degrees in hand, in the mid-1990s Terry and Beverly moved to where Beverly lived when they met, Spring, Texas.  This is where Terry served many years as a substitute teacher for schools in Spring, Texas, in the Kline Independent School District.  Beverly was employed as a business computer programmer by the Harris County Office of Management and Budget.

Then, in 2019, Terry and Beverly, who were "empty nesters" by this time, moved to the Dallas area because of Terry's need for a hospital providing care to patients diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  It was at this hospital, the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans home in Bonham, where Terry died after years of being cared for by top-notch medical personnel.

Terry was known by his friends and family as a kind, quiet and gentle person who was dedicated to his children (and eventual grandchildren) and who with Beverly enjoyed organizing, cooking and hosting gatherings – both large and small -- for family and friends.  In addition, he was an avid reader, a compassionate teacher who enjoyed being with young people, and a Scout Master for his sons and other young men participating in the Boy Scouts of America program.

Terry also loved music.  He played the guitar and composed lyrics for singing songs accompanied by the guitar.  It was not uncommon to hear him at the house or while driving or riding in the car singing with musicians performing a myriad of songs on the radio.  He never missed a word or a beat in the many, many songs that he knew.  In addition, he and Beverly loved to travel by themselves or with family and friends both in the United States and abroad, mostly in Europe.

In addition to his parents, Terry was predeceased by his brothers David Keller of San Diego, California, and Dennis Patrick (Pat) Keller of San Antonio.

He is survived by his wife Beverly; stepson Allan Cano, spouse Velouette, and children Jocelynn and Mattheson, all of Dallas;  stepson Jonathan Cano, spouse Patricia, and children Avery and Ethan, who live in or near Denver, Colorado; and son Michael Omar Keller and girlfriend Molly Volt, both of Katy.

Terry also is survived by his sister Marjorie (Keller) and husband Richard Brinegar of Cypress, Texas; sister-in-law Barbara Abdovis of Cypress, Barbara's daughter and son-in-law, Maryam (Abdovis) and Mitch Middell, and their two daughters Anneke Katrina and Alyssa Sarah, all of Wassenaar, the Netherlands.

In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law Jane and husband Ted Miller of Charlottesville, Virginia, and children Wesley and Whitby; and brother-in-law Michael Courtney of Brenham, Texas.  Also, daughters of his late brother Pat Keller of San Antonio, Robin Keller of Seattle, Washington; Christine (Keller) and husband Jonathan Kirkland of Georgetown, Texas, and many other nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and other members of the family.

A memorial service will be held for Terry at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, at the Lakewood United Methodist Church.  The church is located at 11330 Louetta Road, Houston, Texas, 77070.  A reception at the church will immediately follow the service.

In addition, family and friends will gather for a private burial at the Houston National Cemetery.  The cemetery is located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas, 77038.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home in Bonham, Texas, in memory of Terry Keller.  The home is located at 1300 Seven Oaks Road, Bonham, Texas, 75418.  The telephone number is 1-903-640-8387.  Or please consider donating to Hospice Plus – Sherman located at 100 West Lamberth Road, Suite C, Sherman, Texas, 75092.