Avery Keesee

October 1, 1927 - November 3, 2015

Walter Avery Keesee, Jr., 88, of Bristol, TN passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. He was born in Bristol, VA on October 1, 1927, a son of the late Walter Avery Keesee, Sr.and Cora Lee Poole Keesee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Chris Kestner Keesee; second wife, Joyce Bryant Keesee; two sisters, Cora Lee Brooks and Lena Frances Goodman; son-in-law, Carl Zahrndt, Jr.; and step-son, Perry Langford, Jr. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the United States Navy. He was a member of South Bristol United Methodist Church and active in several veteran's organizations in Bristol and Chattanooga. He was commander of American Legion Hackler-Wood Post # 145 in Bristol, TN in 1969 and again in 2005. He attended Emory & Henry College and was a mechanical engineer, serving as chief engineer for Bristol Metals. He later held the same position with Alloy Fabricators in Decatur, AL, and with Dade Fabricators in Trenton, GA. Avery is survived by his children; Tina Keesee Hayes of Abingdon, VA, Rhonda Keesee Black and husband Mark of Gibsonville, NC, Randy Keesee and wife Jodi of Ocean Isle, NC, and Glenn Keesee of Memphis, TN; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one sister, Louise Keesee Barlow of Baltimore, MD; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Charles Ledger, Bill Templeton, and our father's friend Clara Worley. We also thank our dad for teaching us tolerance and respect. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at South Bristol United Methodist Church, 1809 Southside Ave., Bristol, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.