Alan Evans Keller

Alan Evans Keller, ninety-six, of Orem, Utah, passed away on December 9, 2024, in Provo, Utah, at the Courtyard at Jamestown. He was born June 9, 1928, at the family home in Preston, Idaho, to Herman Wilford and Mary Evans Keller. He married Selena Bowen in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on June 19, 1952.

Alan graduated from Preston High School in 1946 and joined the Army one month later. He spent time in Texas, California, Tokyo, and Guam. He then served a mission in Northern California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He attended Utah State University and while there, met Selena Bowen on a temple trip. They married five months later. Alan graduated from college in 1955 and moved to Provo, Utah, to start his career for the State of Utah as an adult probation and parole officer. In 1962, he helped build a new home for his family, and they moved to Orem, Utah. While working and raising a family, he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Utah.

In 1957 he became a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves. He retired as a major. Alan worked for over thirty years for adult probation and parole. He was one of two agents who covered over twenty counties. He logged more miles than any other employee of corrections. He later hired and trained replacement staff in Price, Vernal, Richfield, and Cedar City. Additionally, he supervised those satellite offices. He was an assistant regional administrator for the rest of his career. After retirement, Alan served part-time on the Utah State Board of Pardons. In 1995, he received the James A. Larson Award for outstanding service.

During the summer, Alan took his young family with him as he worked. He dropped the boys off in the desert with one of his old briefcases and they filled it with chuckwallas, lizards, horned toads, and Gila monsters.

Alan and Selena had many hobbies. They loved to travel and often visited Zions National Park and Yellowstone. In his lifetime, Alan toured all fifty states. In their older years, they joined the Utah County Birders and spent many hours finding, watching, and counting birds. Another pastime he enjoyed was being an avid reader. He loved yard work and gardening, sharing produce with family and neighbors. Friendships were important to him. He was the “Golden Arches” most loyal customer, as he spent quality time there connecting with his buddies. 

Alan loved watching and playing sports. He was a dedicated BYU fan. He was the hero of his high school basketball team when he made a buzzer shot in overtime to win Preston High’s first state championship. His team was honored in 2008 at the Idaho State Championship Tournament. Alan loved racquetball and could beat opponents less than half his age while playing left-handed, even in his eighties. 

Alan was a dedicated man to church and family. He served faithfully in many church callings throughout his life. He spent several years caring for his wife with kindness and Christlike love as she suffered from autoimmune diseases. He cared for her so well that she lived until she was ninety-two.

Alan is survived by his five children, Karen (Ernest) Thornock of Cokeville, Wyoming; Kent Keller of West Valley City, Utah; Mark (Gayle) Keller of Orem, Utah; Brent (Linda) Keller of Orem, Utah; Chris (Laura) Keller of Orem, Utah; seventeen grandchildren; forty-nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three sisters, (Audrey Downing, Beverly Barber, and Kay Andersen) two brothers, (Ralph Keller and Larry Keller), and one great-grandson (William Keller). He is also survived by two lifelong best friends (Don Blanchard and Ken Goe).

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 12:30 with a viewing from 11:00-12:00 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building 1051 E. 200 S. Lindon, Utah. Interment will be at the Orem City Cemetery 1520 N. 800 E. Orem, Utah.

We wish to express our heartfelt love and appreciation to all who cared for our dad while he was living at Jamestown. There will be a zoom link available for the services at Wheeler-Sundberg Mortuary’s website.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend in person you may view the Service HERE