Stephen "Steve" Lewis Keller, Jr

Stephen Lewis Keller Junior was born August 2, 1949 at the Presidio Army Base in San Fransisco, California. His parents Janet and Stephen Lewis Keller Senior moved to Englewood, Colorado where Steve was raised with his siblings Patricia, Gail and Randy. They later moved to Columbia, South Carolina where Steve finished high school graduating from Dreher high school. Gail remains in South Carolina but his other family members have preceded him in death.

Steve enlisted in the Air Force in 1965 (Air Police) and spent over a year at the Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. He and a friend received their draft notices while they were in basic training. His friend was killed in Vietnam which impacted him greatly. Steve returned to South Carolina and worked for the Richland County Sheriffs Office. He received the JP Strom Award which 'is the highest and most prestigious award given by the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. It is presented to one graduating student from each class' In 1973 he joined the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office in Colorado and retired in 2004. He worked in Patrol, Investigations, Detentions, a Federal Task Force, Civil & Warrants. As a firearms and academy instructor he was regarded as a mentor by many and was willing to help anyone at any time for any thing.

Steve is survived by his wife Shauna and children; Stephen Lewis Keller III, De Ann, David, Amanda (Matt) and Jacob. He has four grandchildren and one great grandson. Steve was considered a father by many boys in troop 444 of the Boy Scouts of America where he was Scout Master for many years. Also an exchange student from Brazil stays in touch because Steve included him in our family.

In his younger years Steve participated in pistol matches and enjoyed scenic rides on his motorcycle. He completed an Associates degree at Arapahoe Community College and a Bachelors degree from Columbia College in Criminal Justice. He has traveled extensively in his motor home which included all 50 states and snow birding for months every winter. Internationally, Steve traveled to over 30 countries.

Steve battled medical issues after surviving an episode of septic shock. He died May 21, 2025 at home with hospice care and his Saint Bernard dog by his side.