Posted by Terry Powers on December 25, 2022:

harles Thomas Keffer, of Lakeway, passed away peacefully at the family home surrounded by his loved ones on Friday, June 3, 2005. Graveside service under the direction of Dr. Steve Mansen of Central Christian Church will be held at the Compton family plot in Oakwood Cemetery, in Waco, Texas, at 2:30 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2005. Visitation with family and friends will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, June 5, at Connally-Compton Funeral Directors in Waco. Charlie was the son of Willie Hale and Lott Thomas Keffer, born on October 6, 1926, in Seymour. An outstanding student and gifted athlete, Charlie received a senatorial and congressional appointment to West Point Military Academy. "RED DOG," as his classmates referred to him, played defensive end for West Point s championship football team. He also boxed for the Academy. After graduating, he met and married lifelong Waco resident Allyne Compton and the couple began their 55 year adventure together. Charlie served as a pilot overseas, retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. He then began a career with Atlantic- Richfield that took the couple to Dallas, where he earned his Masters of Science in Engineering from S.M.U. They also lived in Alaska twice as well as California twice. They always partook of the many activities available to them wherever they went. In Alaska, they salmon fished, enjoyed part ownership of a gold mine, made gold nugget jewelry, and Charlie continued to enjoy aviation as a private pilot. In California, the Keffers enjoyed the many golf courses and Charlie began a lifelong interest in personal computing, developing software programs along the way. They also enjoyed thoroughbred horse racing and were owners of several horses through the years. Charlie s career was recognized many times as he had direct responsibility for Prudhoe Bay s oil and gas development as Managing Project Engineer. He was named Engineer of the Year during his tenure. Retiring to his beloved Texas in 1991, Charlie belonged to the Lakeway Men s Golf Association and enjoyed his ownership of a pecan orchard near San Saba. He also enjoyed those leisurely day trips to the orchard; always stopping for barbequed ribs in Lampasas and coconut cream pie at the Bluebonnet Caf in Marble Falls. Charlie was preceded in death by both parents; and an older brother, Lott Thomas, Jr. Charlie is survived by his loving wife, Allyne; two daughters, Kathlyne Wheeler and her husband Ken of Spicewood, and Suzanne Thom and her husband Philip of Gamiel, Arkansas; two grandsons, Charles Andrew Wheeler (also a pilot) and his wife Rebecca, and Bryan Jon Wheeler (a college student); his sister, Mary Ellen Cobb and family; and his brother, Joe Lindsay Keffer and family. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to their many friends for their assistance and caring over the years; especially Pat and Daris Wendland, Ray and Nona Kilgore, Bill and Karina Williams, Rev. Brent Graham and Bill Bergstrom of the Lakeway Christian Church; Misty and Dee with Odyssey Healthcare; and Kai, Teri, and Mark at Stonebridge. Source: Find A Grave

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