Morris Carleton Keck

Morris Carleton Keck, 85, of Gonzales passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2015. 

He was born on June 28, 1929 in Wrightsboro to the late John William “Will” Keck and Grace Darling Carleton Keck and was the fifth of eight children. He graduated from Gonzales High School in 1948 after attending school in Wrightsboro and Harwood. He married his loving wife Ann O’Connor on April 3, 1954 in Gonzales and they lived together in Gonzales for most of their marriage.

Morris had many fond memories of his childhood and would often tell stories about the things he did with his brothers and sisters. Anything from attempting to ride a cow just because they found a saddle with one stirrup, learning to chase chickens into the broom weeds because they were easier to catch for supper or being given a single bullet to kill a rabbit for dinner. Morris could always tell a good story, whether it was true or not.

After high school, Morris went into the chicken business. During that time he started hanging out at the local Methodist Youth Fellowship meetings because that was a good place to meet girls. It was here that he met Ann when she was 15. He offered to take her home to fetch her ukulele so she could provide musical accompaniment and the rest is history. Ann’s parents liked him because he could never keep her out past 11 p.m. He always had to be home to check the chickens. However, he later disappointed his mother-in-law because after he married Ann, he and Ann decided to buy a boat instead of producing grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Morris was always glad to serve his community. He served in the National Guard, was a member of Young Farmers, Evening Lions and was an endowed member in good standing of the Masonic Lodge. He had also been a member and past president of the Ambulance Corp and the Gonzales Volunteer Fire Department. He faithfully served the First United Methodist Church on the board of trustees, he was a member of the Methodist Men, taught 7^th grade Sunday school, was on the church van committee, participated in church van trips and was a long time member of the choir. He also served a term on the Gonzales City Council and had coached Little League. Morris freely gave of himself, he clearly understood his greatest possession was time and “there is no joy in possession without sharing." -- Erasmus

Morris had many jobs during his lifetime. He began raising chickens because that was what he knew. Shortly after he and Ann married they moved to Houston where he drove a truck for a linen service. He told the story about having trouble finding Schlumberger because it wasn’t spelled the way it sounded. 

When they returned to Gonzales, he and Ann bought a house and he began working for GVEC. After a short time with GVEC he began working for Hoskins Men’s Wear where he stayed for many years and discovered his talent for retail. He bought and ran Twin Cedar Drive In, Casa Rio Drive In and the Ice House Drive In. During that time he also opened a western wear store called The Corral. The Corral was in three different locations, each larger than the last because of its’ success but for most of the life of the store it was known as the store on the square with the bright red front. 

Never content to do just one thing, he also maintained a large collection of rental properties. Later in life the maintenance of those properties is what kept him busy and out of the house. He was handy at fixing things and his projects always had what the family referred to as “the Keck look” probably because he considered 16 penny galvanized nails to be his finishing nails.

He loved his children and grandchildren and Morris taught them many life lessons. The most important of these was a love of God. Morris led by example through his faithful service. He read the Bible from cover to cover twice and demonstrated his faith on a daily basis.

He also taught his family to love travel and adventure. Morris loved camping in his trailer and one of his greatest joys was traveling with his grandchildren and teaching them to love the things he loved.

Morris is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Ann; children, Bill Keck and wife Willa of Gonzales and Susie Hadeler and husband Frankie of Round Rock; grandchildren; Travis Keck and wife Megan of Houston, Houston Keck and wife Maggie of Houston and Hannah Keck of Gonzales; great-grandchild, Liam Michael, son of Houston and Maggie Keck of Houston; sisters and brother, Cecil Allert of Austin, Frances Bohlae of Houston, Shirley Heath and husband Bob of Houston, Adele Collins of Houston and Scott Keck and wife JoAnn of Gonzales. He was preceded in death by his parents, John William Keck and Grace Darling Carleton Keck and brothers, William Kirk Keck of Kingsville and Harvey Lynn Keck of Houston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist music fund.

Visitation will be held at Seydler-Hill funeral home on Monday, March 9 from 5 – 7 p.m.  Services will be held at First United Methodist Church of Gonzales on Tuesday, March 10 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Andy Smith officiating. Burial will follow at the Gonzales Masonic cemetery. Pallbearers will be his brethren from the Gonzales Masonic Lodge.  Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.