My good friend, mentor and guardian angel, Jack Dudley Keller, passed away peacefuly at the Sunshine Terrace Nursing Home, Logan, Utah on April 17, 2000.
Born May 31, 1916 in Pittburg, Kansas, son of Jack H. Ward and Ellen Torgerson. His father died when jack was two years old and he was later adopted by his stepfather, Silas V. Keller, the father of his only sister, Irene Keller. His mother, sister, and stepfather, all preceded Jack in death.Jack, or as he liked to be called, "Jack Mormon", was raised early on in coal mining towns such as Price, UT in his youth settling in Salt Lake City where his mother operated a boarding house during the Great Depression. Jack was a West High graduate, member of the tennis team, and Red and Black school newspaper staff, always a Panther.
During World War II, Jack served his country stationed in the Aleutian Islands for which he wrote and told many stories to me and others.
Jack is not survived by any biological children other than the many "poor west side kids" he helped throughout his life. Specifically, Judge Andrew A. Valdez, who he "discovered" when Andy was a young boy "on the street hustling" as a paper boy for the Deseret News. He taught and guided him throughout his life. Their close friendship and father/son relationship continued until Jack's passing this past week.
Thank you Jack for treating me special and showing me the way. Thank you for teaching me how to play tennis, reading the New Yorker, New York Times, Cervantes, and Somerset Maughn. You were right! -- My education saved my life -- I am forever indebted to you. How lucky we all have been that even though you called yourself a "Jack Mormon" you practiced the teachings of the Savior. God Bless You.
Jack desired to be cremated and was buried at his mother's graveside, Salt Lake City Cemetery on April 28, 2000. An interment dedication will be held at the Salt Lake City Cemetery Saturday, May 6th, 10 a.m.