Lester Robert Keller Jr.

Lester Robert Keller Jr. was born April 19, 1952 in Nome, Alaska to Lester and Martha Keller.

He is the second oldest son of six children.

Lester passed away on June 7, 2024 at his home in Anchorage, Alaska. Raised in Nome, he learned his Inupiaq knowledge of the land and helped put food on the table by traditional subsistence hunting. He loved spending time in the country berry picking and gathering traditional foods.

He graduated from Nome-Beltz High School in 1970. Shortly thereafter, he applied to the United States Naval Academy. He served in the Navy for four years and was honorably discharged July of 1974.

He then applied for an electrical apprenticeship with the IBEW, however, he did not need to do an apprenticeship because he already apprenticed under his father, who was a journeyman electrician. He worked for 28 years as a journeyman electrician with the IBEW, primarily on the pipeline.

In 1992 he enrolled in the University of Alaska Fairbanks in the School of Psychology and graduated December 1996, earning his BS in Psychology. He then applied to the Master’s Program for Community Psychology and graduated August 2003 with his Master’s degree.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed his hobby of valuable items of historical significance.

Lester leaves behind family and friends from all over and will greatly be missed.

Lester is preceded in death by his grandparents John and Mary Avessuk of Shishmaref; his parents Lester Sr. and Martha Keller; his siblings Larry Keller, Mary Miller and Louise Bauman; his sons Bruce Sookiayak, Gregory Keller and Preston Keller.

Lester is survived by his siblings William Keller and Wanda Asta Keller; his sons Vernon Harvey and Joshua Keller; his daughters Joni Edwardsen, Lori Hughes, Hattie Keller and Courtney Coleman.

A memorial service was held on June 13, 2024 at Alaska Native Lutheran Church in Anchorage, and in Nome on September 17. A military honors service will be held at JBER in Anchorage at 2:30 p.m. on September 19, 2024.