Born in Leona, Leon County, Texas, on July 26, 1939, the Honorable Kenneth Hall Keeling succumbed to his battle with cancer in the early morning of Monday, Oct. 20, 2014. Judge Keeling is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Sharon Kay Mask Keeling, and their three children, Karen Keeling Fuller and her husband, Michael Fuller, of Flower Mound, Texas, Kimberly Keeling Gerdes and her husband, Jeffrey Gerdes, of Old Bridge, N.J., and William Mac Keeling and Christine Waites of Huntsville. Additionally, Judge Keeling was blessed with four grandchildren: Payne Fuller and Paige Fuller of Flower Mound and Jeffrey Gerdes and Robert Gerdes of Old Bridge. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Keeling Erwin and her husband, Frank, of Dallas; brothers Len Keeling and his wife, Marlene, of Montgomery, Texas, Mickey Keeling and his wife, Virginia, and Pete Keeling and his wife, Nancy, both of Houston, and Jack Keeling and his wife, Mary, of Centerville. Also survived by Robert P. Mask, (Nell) brother-in-law, Dumas, Texas, and sisters-in-law, Connie Mask Morris (Steve) of Willis, Texas, and Kathy Mask Emerson (Jess) of Spring, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he cared deeply for and tried to mentor and assist them in any way. Also acknowledging his love, respect and admiration for a special aunt, Ethelee Mask Hubble, of Navasota, and uncle, Cecil Mask of Southlake, Texas. Judge Keeling was preceded in death by his parents, Alvis and Eloise Keeling; and his grandparents, Freddie and Ruby Hall and Len and Gertrude Keeling. Kenneth graduated from Centerville High School, Centerville, Leon County, Texas, in 1957 and then earned his bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University in 1961. Upon graduating, he moved to Houston, and while working as an accountant for Cameron Iron Works, attended law school at South Texas College of Law, graduating in 1970. Serving for six years in the United States Air Force reserves at Ellington Air Force Base, he remained a life-long patriot. In 1971, Kenneth returned to Huntsville, hired by W.T. "Bill" Bennett, the former District Attorney whom he had long admired. In 1981, Gov. Bill Clements appointed Kenneth to the newly created 278th District Court. After a number of years, he chose to return to private practice. He again was appointed to the judicial district bench by Gov. Rick Perry, as the presiding judge again of the 278th District Court. He remained in that position until his death. Judge Keeling’s family would like to publicly recognize and thank his loyal and devoted office staff, Loretta Murray, Casey Robertson and Johnny West. A special love and thank you to Dr. Thomas Cole for his friendship and constant care. And to all the many Judges, lawyers, personal friends and supporters throughout the Walker, Leon, Grimes and Madison counties, that he served, who supported him and cared about him a very special and sincere thank you. He loved the law and attempted to serve in a manner honoring his position. Services will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1016 Sam Houston Ave., in Huntsville. A visitation and prayer service will be held at the Leona United Methodist Church, 189 Hwy 75 North, Leona, Texas, Leon County, Texas from 1:30-3 p.m. followed by burial in his beloved Leon County at the Leona Cemetery, Leona, Leon County, Texas. Because of his great love for the law, the family request, in lieu of flowers, that memorials be made to the Honorable Kenneth Hall Keeling Law Scholarship Fund. Mailing address: American National Bank & Trust, care of Karen Fuller, Trust Department, 1201 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound, TX, 75028. A recipient to be chosen for study at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas and/or South Texas College of Law, Houston. Pallbearers include Michael Fuller, Jeffrey Gerdes, Payne Fuller, Kermit Keeling, Marcus Keeling, Cyndi Erwin Larsen. Honorary pallbearers include Wm. Robert “Billy Bob” Bitner, Dan “Red” McKaskle, Henry Batten, Johnny West, Wilburn Woods, Ernst “Hotshot” Cannon, Roger “Sonny” Knight, Jr., Kevin Knight, Bennie Rush, DeWitte Lindsey, and Dan Rodell. Memorial condolences may be made to the family online at www.shmfh.com.