Ronald Stanley Keeling was born in Portland, Oregon, Nov. 5, 1947, to Stanley and Lois (Harrison) Keeling. He passed away Sept. 16, 2021, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington.
Ron grew up in Portland and graduated from Cleveland High School in 1965. He continued his education at Seattle Pacific College, graduating in 1970.
He was a pastor for 52 years and eventually found a special ministry as a funeral chaplain helping over 4,000 families through difficult times. Music was nearly always a part of his ministry. He was a talented vocalist and his singing could fill an auditorium or quietly comfort the hurting, as he did so often.
In 1973, Ron married Pasty Buffington and they began their life together. They served in many churches including Eugene Free Methodist and Eastside Free Methodist in Portland and were until recently at Cooks Hill.
Ron is survived by his wife, Patsy, his sons, David, Peter and his wife Jennifer, and John; his grandchildren Jack, Addison and Jorie; and his sisters Donna and Ruth.
