Raymond Jules Keller

January 12, 1952 - November 21, 2014

Raymond Jules Keller, 61, of Groves, Texas passed away on Friday, November 21, 2014 at his home. He was born on January 12, 1952 to Beatrice Granier Keller and Guy Keller in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ray played football in grade school at Holy Ghost in Houston in 64 and 65. He went on to play football at St. Anthony Seminary in San Antonio during his freshman, sophomore and junior years, where they were the State Champs in his sophomore year. He played for St. Thomas High School in Houston in his senior year. He was a business owner as a printer and a salesman. Ray lived in Stafford, Texas for 20 years and Groves for the last 4 years. Ray was a master of the Okinawan Martial Art called Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan Karatedo. This art dates back hundreds years to the Okinawan Samurai who guarded the Okinawan Kings. In this art Ray reached the rank of Nana Dan (7th Degree Red and White Belt). Ray was of international renown in the art of karate. He studied under his Sinsa, Ronald Lindsey. Upon hearing of his death, Ray was honored with a moment of silence by the nearly 1000 participants at the National Brazilian Karate Tournament held Sunday November 23, 2014 in Brazil. Ray was instrumental in introducing Kodudo (the weapons part of Okinawan karate to hundreds of martial arts practitioners in Brazil and other parts of South America. In the USA Ray taught hundreds of people and for many operated Karate Schools in the Houston area. Ray was a personal student of the World famous Okinawan Grandmaster, Shugoro Nakazato, 10 degree red belt, the old grandmaster now nearing the age of 100 years considers Ray to be one of his top American students. Ray Keller will be missed by Karate practitioners all over the world. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jimmy Keller, Sr. Ray is survived by his brothers, Dr. Michael Keller and wife, Lisa of Port Neches, Texas, Ronald J. Keller of Houston, Texas, his sisters, Gwendolyn Daigrepont and husband, Joseph of Cedar Hill, Texas, Diane Deviller and husband, Billy of Winnie, Texas along with his nephew, Jimmy Keller and wife, Suzanne of Prairieville, Louisiana. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 25, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, November 26, 2014 in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Mullen, officiating. Arrangements for cremation are entrusted to Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors.