JAMES ESPY KEELING, SR.

 The following bio was taken from page 266 of the book entitled “Rusk County History” compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

 Transcribed by Shirley Koym

 Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Cemeteries of Texas

 James Espy Keeling, Sr. and his family moved to Henderson in the fall of 1936, from a small community called Rushing, in Navarro County, Texas.  The family consisted of James’ wife, Gladys Kelley Keeling; one daughter, Doris Elaine; three sons, James Espy, Jr.; Ray Lynn; and Randall Gene.  All of the children were born in Navarro County, Texas, and Ray Lynn and Randall Gene are the only ones who went to school in Rusk County.

 J. E. Keeling, Sr., operated a gasoline service station on South Main Street in Henderson from 1936 until he sold out in 1969.  For a number of years he handled Spunkey Oil Company products.  Later he handled Humble Oil Company products.

 Gladys Kelley Keeling worked in several stores in Henderson, including Pritchetts, Crawford Clothiers, and J. B. White Company.

 Doris Elaine worked for Link B. Martin, a CPA, then for the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, for Roy B. Cole, who was the County Clerk in the 1940’s for two of the abstractors:  Pearson Title and Abstract Company, and Arnold Abstract Company, but was working for Pritchard and Abbott, Evaluation Engineers, when she retired in 1971.  In 1944 she married D. K. (Pat) Hamilton, and they have no children.  D. K. Hamilton was Rusk County Auditor from 1964 through 1978, when he retired.

 James E. Keeling, Jr. worked for Goodwin and Pendergrass Plumbing Company, later going to work for Gulf Oil Company.  He was in the pump business in Tyler when he died in 1960.  He was married to the former Corabelle Duncan in 1938, and they had three sons; Thomas Daryle, Gerald Mack, and Billy Wayne.

 Ray Lee Keeling married Ann Newson Webb in 1956, and they have four girls:  J’Lisa Ann, Sheri Lynn, Lori Jo, and Amy Leigh.  He works for General Electric Company in Tyler.

 Randall Gene Keeling married Joyce Harrington in 1954, and they have two sons, Steven Clifford and Stanley Dean.  He works for Texas Employment Commission in Austin.

 J. E. Keeling, Sr. died in 1970 at the age of 79 and his wife in 1972 at the age of 76.

 Submitted by Doris Keeling Hamilton