Sydney Johnston Keasler, Jr.

Sydney J. Keasler, Jr. Celebration of the life of Sydney J. Keasler, Jr., 83, of Hallsville will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Hallsville with Dr. David Massey, the Reverend Ray Tenpenny and Buck Lineberger officiating. Burial will follow in Grace Hill Cemetery, Longview under the direction of Rader Funeral Home. Sid went home to be with his Lord on May 3, at his home. Sid was born April 14, 1925 in Hallsville to Sydney J. Keasler, Sr. and Emma Henderson Keasler. He was educated in the Hallsville Public Schools and attended Kilgore Junior College. He married Dorothy Jean Thornton of Thornton City, east of Gilmer, on November 19, 1944 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Upshur County, by Reverend Obie Baker. They enjoyed 63 years together. Sid has lived in the Hallsville area all his life. His father died when he was eleven years old. Being the oldest of four sons, he became a "little man" at an early age, helping his mother on the ranch seeing to cattle and the farming that was going on and was a rancher all his life. He accepted Christ as his Savior at an early age and has served Him all his life. He was ordained as a deacon at the age of sixteen by the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Hallsville and served there until it dissolved. Later he joined the First Baptist Church in Hallsville. "We are grateful to God for the Dad and Granddad, known as Pop, that God gave us. We are thankful for the legacy of honesty, dependability, integrity and trustworthiness he left us. He will be missed by his many friends and loving family" He was a charter member of the Hallsville Lion's club, active in Hallsville Little League Baseball program and other youth development programs. Sid was elected County Commissioner of Precinct 3 in Harrison County in 1960 and served until the end of 1972. While in office, he served as President of the Northeast County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas and also many offices in the State Association of Texas. He was also instrumental in saving the beautiful old antique courthouse in Marshall when they built the new courthouse. They also built the two new sub-courthouses in Hallsville and Waskom. He thoroughly enjoyed helping the citizens of Precinct 3 and all the citizens of Harrison County. He was responsible for acquiring the right-of-way for Loop 281 in Longview that is in Harrison County. Sid was a loving, gentle giant in the life of his loving wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a little brother, Jere June Keasler and brother Kenneth Keasler. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Keasler; two daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Tom Wheatley of Houston, and Karen and Bob Adams of Hallsville. One son and daughter-in-law, Sydney J. Keasler, III and Kathy of Richardson; grandchildren, Michele Wheatley and Tommy Wheatley of Houston, Tiffany Wheatley Dillard and husband Dennis of Tomball, Kimberly Adams Shelton and husband Dr. Jeffrey Shelton of Hallsville, Kyle Adams and wife Robin of Longview, Misty Keasler of Richardson and David Keasler of Princeton, New Jersey; great grandchildren, Maddie and Molly Moore and Ryan Shelton of Hallsville, Anna and Isaac Adams of Longview, Colin and Cameron Dillard of Tomball; brother, J. K. Keasler and wife Jean of Longview; sister-in-law, Bobbie Jean Keasler of Hallsville; and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Tommy Wheatley, Dennis Dillard, Kyle Adams, Dr. Jeff Shelton, David Keasler and Glenn Keasler. The family wants to thank HeartsWay Hospice for their loving care and especially Kari Kennel, R.N. for her care and thoughtfulness. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Rader Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 359, Hallsville, TX 75650.

Sydney Johnston Keasler, Jr.

April 14, 1925 - May 3, 2008