Donald Avery Keller
December 6, 1949 — May 22, 2016
Donald Avery Keller (66) passed away in his home on Sunday, May 22nd, 2016, after a courageous 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born in Kearney, Nebraska on December 6, 1949, Don was the second of six sons born to Donald Adelbert Keller and Elizabeth Hillon Keller. While still a toddler, his family moved to Long Beach, California, where Don attended Lincoln and Emerson Elementary Schools, Stanford Middle School, and Millikan High School. As a student attending Millikan, Don played football and basketball and met his high school sweetheart and self-described “love of his life,” Gail Susan Berberet. After graduation from Millikan in 1968, he attended Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach where he graduated with a B.A. in History and a teaching credential. Don and Gail were married on August 4, 1973 at Saint Cornelius Church in Long Beach.
In 1973, Don followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a second-generation LBUSD teacher at Muir Elementary School. During his time there, Don earned his Master’s Degree in Education and an Administrative Credential. In the following years, he taught and coached at Newcomb K-8 and Wilson High School before holding Administrative positions at Lindberg Junior High School, Lakewood High School, and Masuda Middle School in Fountain Valley.
Ultimately, Don’s career was defined by his dedicated work as Principal of Stanford Middle School and Co-Principal of Millikan High School, both institutions he had attended and loved as a young man. “Once a Ram, Always a Ram!” Donald often exclaimed. His teaching staffs and colleagues appreciated and respected his positivity, enthusiasm, genuine passion, sense of humor, and pride he brought to work with him every single day.
The most important aspect of Don’s life was always his family. As a son, husband, father, and grandfather, Don was always able to throw all of himself into both his career and family, striking the perfect balance. Despite a tremendous responsibility at work, he never missed a child’s basketball game or important school event.
Don loved traveling with friends and family, attending classic car shows, fishing, and taking long walks at local parks and beaches with his wife and grand-dog, Riley.
Donald Keller is survived by his mother, Betty Keller; wife, Gail Keller; children, Cassie Keller Ward (Ross) and Ryan Keller; grandchildren, Mason and Camille Ward; brothers, Rich (Peggy), Eric (Staci), Ray (Ann), Neal, and Gary (Patty) Keller as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His daughter is a third-generation LBUSD educator at Lowell Elementary while his son works at Cal State Long Beach. His grandchildren also attend Long Beach schools. Don was exceedingly proud of his family.
A Memorial Service in Don’s honor will be held at Millikan High School on Saturday, June 18th at 9:30 a.m. Reception to follow.
The family of Donald Keller requests that, in lieu of flowers, please send donations for pancreatic cancer research to UCI Health at https://www.uadv.uci.edu/Donald-Keller . For those wishing to send a check, please make payable to UCI Foundation ; Memo Line: Donald Keller/Pancreatic Cancer; Mail To: UC Irvine Health Advancement; c/o Rhonda Halverson; 333 City Blvd. West, Suite 605; Orange, CA 92868.
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