John Keller Harville died in a one-vehicle car accident Wednesday night, February 7, 2018.
Funeral services will be held at Christian Fellowship Church on Monday, February 12 at 4:00 pm under the direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
Keller’s current pastor Cory Jones and former pastor and long-time friend Mike Fortenberry will officiate, along with his cousin Rickey Hayes.
Keller was born on October 1, 1981, in Paris to Kathy Payne Harville and Johnny Ray Harville who happened to be celebrating their 4th wedding anniversary on that day.
Keller lived most of his life in Paris, with the exception of a couple of years in Midland working in the oil field.
He graduated from North Lamar High School in 2001.
He grew up in church first at Grace Fellowship Church, then at East Paris Baptist Church. He made many close relationships while going on mission trips and hanging out in Sunday school classes. For the past couple of years Christian Fellowship Church has been his church home.
Keller was named after his paternal grandmother Lucille Keller Harville, who he loved and took care of during her last few years of life.
Keller loved big with his tender heart. He was a charmer who always caught the attention of The Prettiest Girls in the room. His face would light up when he saw you, he’d smile that big grin of his, give you a bear hug, tell you a funny story, ask how you were doing, and tease you a little bit before sending you off smiling and laughing. You never had to wonder if Keller loved you or not. He loved everyone, unconditionally and wholeheartedly, and that is a remarkable accomplishment.
While serving on a mission trip to Mexico many years ago, he literally took off his coat and gave it to a boy who didn’t have one. That was Keller. He did not hesitate to give whatever he had to those in need. He was a compassionate person through and through.
Keller is survived by his mother, Kathy Payne Harville of Paris; his sisters, Tracy Harville of Moore, Oklahoma, Emily Harville Montoya and husband Gabe, Molly Harville Walker and husband Will all of Paris, and Ellen Harville Llamas and husband Jesse of Little Elm; his sons John (Buddy) Harville of Paris and Brant Harville of Yantis and their mothers Ashley Lollar and Jennifer Larkin; and his maternal grandmother Clara Payne of Longview. His many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews will remember the fun times they had with him and he will be especially missed by his Harville Aunts KK, Carol and Nancy with whom he was in constant cahoots!
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Connie and Lucille Harville, his Aunt Debby Payne, his daddy Johnny Harville and his PawPaw Poppy Payne.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Downtown Food Pantry, 124 W. Cherry Street, Paris, TX 75460
To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com
