Lawrence Elmo Keller Jr., 68, died suddenly at the Waynesboro Fish and Game Club, Thursday, April 29, 2021, with his wife, Linda (Barkdoll) Keller, and his beloved pups, Cobra and Shelby, by his side. To most of his friends, he was known as “Elmo.”
He was born January 11, 1953 in Hagerstown, to Effie M. (Baer) Keller and Laurence E. Keller Sr., who are both deceased.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by brothers, Harry M. Keller of Wolfsville, and Robert C. Keller and wife, Sue, of Greencastle, PA.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Jean Keller and Jeanette E. Keller.
He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Lawrence graduated from Middletown High School with the class of 1971.
In 1973, he and Linda married.
Working for 43 years, he retired in 2014 from Morgan and Keller Inc., which was cofounded by his father.
During his career, he had to adapt and change his skills due to the evolution of the company to compete in the construction field. In the beginning, he was mason tender for his father and brother, Harry, building residential homes in Frederick County, MD. Upon his father’s retirement, the company started branching into the commercial market. He adapted and worked on steel buildings and concrete tilt ups. His final job classification was carpenter. He took great pride in the buildings he helped construct. He was honored when he was asked to serve on the company’s Safety Committee, taking OSHA classes and being certified.
Throughout his life, he had many interests and loves, including hunting and fishing. He was interested in NASCAR and tournament archery. He drove a grocery-getter stock car at Hagerstown Speedway. He shot ATA and numerous trap leagues.
He traveled west to hunt elk and antelope. His last trip was in 2014 with his wife and Molly, their 12-year-old boxer. This month-long trip of camping, sightseeing and hunting was one of his fondest memories.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Lawrence raised whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail, pheasants and peacocks. Once, he had a pet raccoon named Ricky.
He was a member of the NRA, Blue Ridge Sportsman Association, Waynesboro Fish and Game Association, Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and was a life member of Tuscarora Archers.
He excelled in his hobbies, won many trophies and was always happy to help beginners and others improve their skills. He could be quite ingenious when he put his mind to doing something.
Lawrence loved life and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He loved to tease and have fun. He will be missed by many.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at J. L. Davis Funeral Home, 12525 Bradbury Ave., Smithsburg, MD 21783 on Wednesday, May 5. COVID-19 restrictions will apply; attendees are required to wear masks and to keep social distances.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 6, at Wolfsville Ruritan Community Park, 12708 Brandenburg Hollow Road, Myersville, MD 21773. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the celebration. Attendees are asked to wear masks while under the pavilion roof. Interment will follow in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church cemetery. A light meal will follow, with socializing and celebrating a life well lived.
Memorial contributions can be made to any of the following organizations: Wolfsville Ruritan Club, P.O. Box 238, Myersville, MD 2177; Frederick County 4H Shooting Sports, P.O. Box 1404, Frederick, MD 21702; or to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Frederick Program, Elmo Keller, P.O. Box 695, LaPlata, MD 20646.
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