Ray Monroe Keeler - Obituary

ay Monroe Keeler, 85, a twenty-three year resident of Annapolis, MD and formerly of Bowie, MD, died on June 15, 2016. Born on June 4, 1931, in La Crosse, WI to the late Ray "Tubby" and Beth Keeler, Ray graduated from La Crosse Central High School, earned a BA degree from the University of Wisconsin and studied Russian at Syracuse University. From 1951 to 1955, he served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. From 1957 to 1986, Ray served in a variety of senior positions with the National Security Agency, retiring as Director of Programs and Budget. He was awarded the Distinguished Executive of the Senior Service Award by President Reagan in 1984 and the Exceptional Senior Service Award in 1986. From 1989 to 1997, Ray was president of CRYTEC, a consulting company involved in matters relating to the intelligence community and served as the Director of the Audit Committee of Essex Corporation. He volunteered as Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of GEBA/GEMBA Employee Service Organization, a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Heritage Harbour Health Group, Chairman of the Heritage Harbour Golf Committee and a member of the Heritage Harbour Lounge Committee. He loved cruising with his family, playing golf, travel, reading and the Green Bay Packers. Ray was preceded in death by his siblings, Bernard Keeler, Marge Ethell and Betty Zeisler. He is survived by his wife Virginia Keeler, whom he married on August 24, 1957; his daughters, Beth (Jeff) Stewart and Tami (Rob) McCaslin, both of Stevensville, MD, and Mary Pat (Ken) Roberts of Ridgely, MD; his grandchildren, Brett, Michael, Mark, Candice, Jessica, Paige, Missy, Allie, Molly, Erica and Maddy; his great-grandchildren, Jake, Jaxon and Madden and his dog, Aneli. Friends are invited to celebrate Ray's life from 2 to 5 pm on Sunday, June 26 at the Heritage Harbour Lodge, 959 River Strand Loop, Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Heritage Harbour Health Group, 801 Compass Way, Ste. 5, Annapolis, MD 21401.