John Patrick Keller

Obituary for John Patrick Keller:

John Patrick Keller died 2/24/2022 outside of Boulder City, Nevada. He was born in Ridgecrest on 6/4/1974 to Alicia (deceased 2001) and Patrick Keller. He is survived by his father, stepmother Marcie, older sister, Katherine, Ralph Mathieu (brother-in-law), Jessica Arabski (ex girlfriend), and numerous Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins.

John graduated in 1992 from BHS, where he wrestled at the varsity level. After high school he served in the Army as a medic (92-96), and received multiple commendations for his meritorious service, which included several NATO training exercises, and caring for refugees from the Balkan Conflict.

John GI Billed his way through college. Due to his love of animals, his first degree was as a veterinary technician. After several years of working with animals primarily as a surgical assistant, he returned to college to pursue a degree in nursing, graduating with honors. He was employed by the state of Nevada as psychiatric RN, working first at Rawson-Neal, and then at Muri-Stein. He worked many extended shifts during the pandemic to provide care to his patients and cover for co-workers sick with Covid-19.

John was an avid grower of orchids and other exotic plants, winning several first places at Las Vegas Orchid Society shows. He also enjoyed hiking, photography, painting, drawing, and creative writing.

He was a kind, loving, and thoughtful person who is deeply missed by his family and friends, who are in the process of establishing a memorial scholarship in his name.

A memorial mass will be held for John at St. Ann Church in Ridgecrest on Sat Apr 9 at 12:30pm. It will be followed by an interment ceremony at Desert Memorial Park, and then a luncheon at St. Ann Parish Hall.