Ronald Floyd Keeler

Obituary

Ronald Floyd Keeler

November 16, 1941- December 24, 2025

Ronald Floyd Keeler, 84, passed away on December 24, 2025, at the Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center with his loving wife by his side.

Ronald was born in Worland, Wyoming, on November 16, 1941, to Albert Floyd and Elsie Pearl (Cogdill) Keeler. He grew up in Ten Sleep, working on his grandparents' farm, where he developed a deep love for cows, horses, and the wide-open spaces. He graduated from Ten Sleep High School in 1959 and went on to Sheridan to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. After a few years of schooling, his family needed him back on the farm, so Ronald returned to Ten Sleep to help where he was most needed.

He met Kay Tolman, and together they were blessed with two children, Ronee Kay and Franklin David. Though the two later divorced, they worked together to provide loving homes for their children.

Later, fate found Ronald while he was staying at a hotel in Casper. He struck up a conversation with Barbara Porter, a girl he knew from high school. The two quickly fell in love and were married on January 16, 1970. They would spend the next 55 years together as husband and wife. Ronald welcomed two bonus children into his home, Alan and Debbie Austin, and later he and Barbara had a child together, Donald, completing their blended family.

Ronald was later offered a job he couldn't pass up in Alaska, building radio and river-crossing communication towers. He loved the thrill of the work and was always willing to take on the risky jobs high in the air, knowing the extra danger meant extra pay. In 1987, Ronald and Barbara moved back to Worland after he suffered a tragic accident that left him unable to work. They returned home to help care for their parents and begin the next chapter of their lives.

Ronald enjoyed helping with rodeos around the area and loved hunting. He didn't care much for fishing—he said you had to hold still for far too long. More than anything, he loved working. He was good at what he did and took pride in a hard day's work. Ronald was a serious man and sometimes hard to get to know. His dry personality could come across as mean, but in reality, he loved to joke around. He was a Christian who loved God and knew there was more after this life. He found peace in knowing he would finally be free of pain.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, David and Cody; sister-in-law, Sue Beydler McCurrey; grandson, Treven Keeler; and niece, Cindy Rae Garza.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; sons, Alan (Tarah) Keeler of Knoxville, Tennessee, Franklin (Wendy) Keeler of Farson, Wyoming, and Donald (Jana) Keeler of Powell, Wyoming; daughters, Ronee Kay Hogg of Meeteetse, Wyoming, and Debbie Austin-Evans of Worland; brothers, Quaker McCurrey of Ten Sleep and George (Lori) Bosch of Worland; sister, Connie of New Mexico; sister-in-law, Ruth Jones of Burlington; special nieces and nephews, Alan, Kerry, and Steven; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-great-grandchild.

Cremation has taken place, and a private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children. Please send checks to PO Box 524, Worland, Wyoming 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com