Larry Robert Keller

Larry Robert Keller, 86, passed away on March 28, 2024 at his home in Preston, Idaho, the same home he was born in on July 5, 1937 to Herman Wilford and Mary Evans Keller. Larry was the youngest of six children. Larry loved the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish and shared that love with his children, grandchildren, nephews and friends. In the out of doors, he could always be found carrying a pistol, or firearm and loved ‘shooting stuff.’ As a young man he loved playing neighborhood baseball. He also spent a lot of time at the local reservoirs.

He graduated from Preston High School. He worked for a few years and then served an LDS mission in the Southern States. Larry was a great companion to those he served with and a mentor to many. Larry was known for his kindness and service to others. He joined the Idaho National Guard and served for eight years. This is where he learned to cook for large groups of people. Larry continued to cook and could make a good meal out of anything and perfected his own recipes. He was known by many for his dutch oven cooking. Larry loved making random food deliveries and often showed up on a doorstep with a big pot of his homemade chicken noodle soup.

He worked numerous jobs including Del Monte, at a service station, and Thiokol. The job he was most well known for was at Franklin County Grain Growers where he worked for many years. He was known for his knowledge of seeds, gardening and sprays. He made many lasting friendships with coworkers, farmers, and customers. Larry enjoyed giving his customers a “really good deal.” No matter where Larry went, even after he retired, he was asked questions about what to plant, what to spray, and how to grow the best crop or garden.

Larry met Betty Sharp on May 13, 1967. They dated for six weeks, we engaged, and then married in the Logan, Utah Temple on October 6, 1967. Larry and Betty were blessed with six children: Jim, Cliff, MaryAnn, Becky, Kelly, and Kaylyn. Together they worked hard. They loved to travel, especially to Yellowstone and loved to camp with the family in the surrounding mountains. They enjoyed the scenery on their many drives together on outings and often took a picnic with them.

Larry and Betty served a mission together and were hosts at Cinnamon Creek Campground. It was the perfect mission for their combined talents and skills and they shared them well. They loved their regular temple attendance. Larry loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved doing things with them, watching them grow, visiting and telling them stories. He loved cookouts and hot dog roasts in the back yard and while camping up in the hills. 

Larry was a people person and loved to serve, visit and swap stories. He enjoyed sharing his love of history and showing off his extensive arrowhead collection. There was a story about each arrowhead. He made many bolo ties with the arrowheads and often gifted them to people everywhere. 

He is survived by his wife Betty, his children James (Kim) Keller, Cliff (Theresa) Keller, MaryAnn (Todd) Reid, Becky (John) Lish, Kelly (Amber) Keller, Kaylyn (Ben) Heusser. They also have 20 grandchildren and two great grandchildren with one on the way. He is also survived by a brother Alan Keller. He was preceded in death by his parent, his siblings, Audrey Downing, Bevery Barber, Ralph Keller, and Kathryn Anderson. 

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 11:00 am in the Preston 5^th Ward Chapel, 213 South 200 East in Preston. A viewing will be held Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, and Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment and military rites will be in the Preston Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com. Services will be available to stream live Wednesday at 11:00 MDT at the link provided in his obituary at webbmortuary.com

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Intermountain Cancer Center in Logan, Utah by searching: “Intermountain Cancer Center Logan”, hitting the “give” tab on the far right then clicking “make a donation.” 

In Memory of Larry, crack open a Pepsi, eat a twinkie, and swap a your favorite story with a friend. If you were lucky enough to receive one of Larry’s bolo ties, please wear it in his honor on April 3.