- Name
- Charles Keller
- Position
- Guard
- Class
- Freshman
- Hometown (Last School)
- Jonesboro, AR
- Ht
- 5'11"
- Wt
- 180
- Seasons
- 1951-52
- Birthday
- July 4, 1933
From the 1952 University of Kentucky Basketball Media Guide:
Another of the surprisingly few out-of-state boys on the current Wildcat team, Keller comes from Jonesboro, Ark., where he was All-State along with U.K. teammate Houston Nutt . . . Not expected to play much this year, but will be gaining valuable experience in practice and games . . . He’s fast, shifty and good dribbler . . . Shoots from outside well.
Obituary – Charles ‘Charlie’ A. KELLER, Jonesboro (Arkansas) Sun (May 3, 2008)
JONESBORO – Charles “Charlie” A. KELLER, 74, of Jonesboro died Friday, May 2, 2008, at St. Bernards Medical Center.
He lived most of his life at Jonesboro and was a member and elder at First Christian Church. Charlie was a past member of the Jonesboro Rotary Club, a Shriner and was on the Jonesboro City Council during the 1960s.
He taught school for the Jonesboro Public School System, was owner and operator of KELLER Sporting Goods and numerous other business ventures.
Charlie played basketball at the University of Kentucky in 1951-52 under the leadership of Adolph Rupp. He played AAA ball in the Texas League, playing at Houston, Omaha and Fresno, Calif., before moving up to the majors and playing for the St. Louis Cardinals for six years.
A referee for more than 50 years, he called high school football and basketball games and college basketball games and was elected to the Arkansas Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2001. As a referee, he worked in the Mississippi Valley Conference, the SEC, SWC, the Big 8 and the Big 10.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Jewel KELLER; one sister, Janet Avis; and a grandson, Christopher Reeves.
Mr. KELLER is survived by two sons, Chuck KELLER and Craig VanSkaik, both of Los Angeles; two daughters, Kathy Hahn and her husband Michael of Gulf Shores, Ala., and Cheryl Reeves of Jonesboro; six grandchildren, Kaki Hurley and husband Chris of Knoxville, Tenn., Chelsey Reeves and Chloe Reeves of Jonesboro, and Carly VanSkaik, Wills VanSkaik and Louis VanSkaik, all of Los Angeles; and three great-grandchildren, Cindi Kate Hurley, England Hurley and Isaac Hurley, all of Knoxville.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday in First Christian Church with the Rev. Jerry Wilcox officiating. Burial will follow in KELLER’s Chapel Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Pallbearers are Tom McDonald, Andy Palimino, Andy Anderson, Craig McDaniel, Jim KELLER, J.B. Brown, Mike Dunigan and Bob Seale.
Honorary pallbearers are the elders and diaconates of First Christian Church, Danny Johnson, Burnis Posey, Pat Richardson, Carla Sanders, Courtney Teague, Steve Hathcock, Jeremy Wycough, Russ Miller, Justin Cook, Randy Proctor and Dr. James Rogers.
For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider the Christopher Reeves Memorial Hunt Fund, care of Simmons Bank, 1720 South Caraway Road, Jonesboro 72401, or St. Bernards Hospice, 2813 Forest Home Road, Jonesboro 72401.
Visitation will be from 4-6 tonight in Emerson Memorial Chapel.
