To say that Sensei Keller had a huge influence in my life would be an understatement. I had my 1st job with him as basically a janitor for the dojo at the age of 14. He gave me a 2nd home and 2nd family as I literally would spend my most of my free time at the dojo. I got to become close with his entire family and there were countless "Karate Kid" moments where it would just be me and him talking about life and him teaching wisdom but also was super hilarious! One thing that he foresaw which became true was me opening my own dojo: Zenpan Dojo. Although it is not under the Shorinryu Karate branch as it is basically MMA, alot of the training methods and philosophies i learned from Sensei, I apply to my students. This man believed in a 14 year old kid and knew it in his gut that I would open a dojo someday and it became true! I really wish he was alive today so I could tell him, "Thank You!" and also to see how my students have grown to be fine martial artists themselves. I'll never forget the different jobs he made me do from clearing land on his properties to moving heavy furniture to his different properties. What astounded me most was his vision of Keller's Martial Arts Plaza! He made an entire racquet ball center a dojo which housed multiple martial arts schools under one roof! It was amazing to be on the 2nd floor, looking down and watching all the different schools and styles from the top! It was so ridiculously epic you thought this place only could exist in a movie. But he did it! I pray that one day I can open a place just as he did in due time. He truly was a visionary and I will never ever forget him. May God bless you Sensei Keller and may your soul rest in peace. I love you a great deal and am proud to have called you sensei. Hontou...ARIGATO GOZAIMASU!!! OSU!!!

Just stopped by to say i miss you Sir!

Just stopped by to say hello Sir. Miss you! 🙏🏻

Sorry to hear this. I was a student of Mr Keller when I lived Spring, Texas 1978-85, I was searching the internet, for his school South Texas Shorin Ryu. Couldn't find it, but the brought me here. Awesome Karate Instructor, I remembered during classed Mr Keller would tell me can't never could, when he was teaching me.

Just wanted to say i miss you Sir! God bless you!

I am shocked to learn of Ray’s passing. I was not only his karate student, but I worked for his printing company when I was 15. He taught me so much. He was a good man in many ways. Rest In Peace Sensi!

Will miss him for ever like crazy. Love him dearly always.One of the biggest lost of my life,he will always be in my heart. His big spirit will always be with me and will live on.

I have tried to find Mr. Keller for years and years. I wanted to tell him Thank You! He taught me more than just Karate. He helped me find some Spiritual Strength at a very challenging time in my life. I will never forget him telling me, "When you think you can't take another step, take 10 more!" Many times in My Life I found Strength in those words. My son (Ben) took classes with me. I wanted my son to see Strength in his Mother. Tears are streaming down my face in this moment. I know you have a Special Place in Heaven Mr. Keller. I appreciate so MUCH all you did for me and my son. God Bless You! My Love goes out to your Family! With Love, Light & Creative Energy! Barb Tristan (((HUGS)))

Sensei, for the brief time that I knew you; You became an insperiation to me. The knowledge that you have shared so openly and selflessly will always be a part of me and will be passed on as you did for me. May God bless you and keep you for all time Ray. I'm forever proud to be a student of Keller's Martial Arts and will treasure those days forever.. Regards, Sheldon de Roche'

My condolences to the family on Ray's passing. Ray was not only my Karate instructor but also a friend. He taught me a lot both in and out of the dojo. I will miss his wisdom, strength and sense of humor. Domo arigato gozaimasu Sensei.

I owe a lot of the success that I have had as a teacher to what you have taught me and many of the things that I have learned from you have helped me to survive dangerous situations and helped me to successfully navigate difficulties that I have faced throughout my life. I regret having just learned of your passing and not being able to attend the services honoring your life and send my condolences and prayers to you and your family on behalf of myself and my family. May you rest in peace and find comfort in knowing that your memory and teachings continue.

I met Ray in his most difficult time and knew I wanted to be his friend. It was a privilege to see how a man grounded in his faith and love of fellow man held up in the most impossible of circumstances. Thanks to the testimonials of those close to him for life I was allowed to see the rest of the picture of a human being who was a real friend. I do regret, being a bit embarassed about being late for the service, that I didn't do a little better at getting to know those who also loved and admired Ray. Lisa and I hold fond memories of Ray and were heartened to learn of the many others who felt the same.

Ray Keller R.I.P Our Moments,Osu Houston , Texas 70's His I-10 YMCA days of working out , his YMCA tournaments , really the only authenic Shorin Ryu Karate I could find. We fought in Tournaments ,he won four out of five matches , back in the three point days and I could never beat him in weapons ,his Sai Kata was perfect in my eyes , Osu I remember how he would coach me if I was by myself , which was most of the time! Found out later he was good friends with my instructor Sid Campbell, though him I met some amazing martial artist , Ron Lindsey, Charlie Dean , Stan Gaskin, Richard Langenstein, Bill Broyles , Mike Arnold, Richard Sapp and then things got crazy! Garett, my son was born and I was fighting all over America, When Ray open his Dojo over off 59 Fwy, he would let me fight him off the clock , practice kata , weapons , even teach in the secondary room. There I met my partner to this day Dr. Patrick Price ,back then early ninties ,all we did was Karate 9 days a week, 27 hours a day, when Garett was old enough to Kia, I took him over to Ray for him to work on his Kata , Bunkai and his fighting. Garett started to win 1st places every tournament , particurly his Kata changed while working with Ray it became very smooth and mesmirizing . Then I found out he likes to Fish and things got really crazy ! All nighters on the beach ,surf fishing, drinking Crown Royal shots and building huge bonfires ,chasing Bass in out of the way ponds we found by accident , jumping the fence just to get one cast into that secluded back woods pond and the catching five pounders , the shore lunches on the side of the road. One of my most cherish moments was when all the Shorin Ryu Animals signed the Eku Richard Langestein and Ray and the guys signed it and presented it to me at The Gathering . My Karate ,Bass fishing friend I will miss you and cherish our moments we had together and last my fondest memory! The "Koken" story, a white crane technique is the Koken strike , some call it the chicken wrist , curved wrist ,it is a soft Kenpo technique . We were at the Japan Festival , a authenic presentation of Japanese Arts . We were doing our demostration and a guy in the audience was running his mouth, loud that Tae Kwon Do was the superior art for the street and only hard karate would work in the street self defense situation and what we were doing was show karate and play ! He was running his mouth, loud and bilegerent! I was clearly upset but Ray calmed me down and said "Gary I will take care of this" He walked over to the guy and said "that's not true I can stop anyone with my flimsy wrist" You want to see , throw your best kick at me ! I had never seen Ray as a agressive encounter type of Black Belt , in fact he was very humble almost all the time ,however I also knew how dangerous he was , but this guy need to have a real karate lesson given to him ,so Ray took a step back , the Jerk threw a back leg round kick first , Ray blocked it with a Koken , you could see the guy feel the pain of the block! Then he tried a spin reverse kick which Ray dropped him with a Koken to the chest, stomach, KNOCKED THE WIND OUT OF HIM, Kia very loud !! and then tapped him in the groin area, this guy fell to his knees grasping for air , the crowd was stunned ,however the true marking of a true Karate man after he dropped him ,he went over and helped him up ,gave him water and a towel and whispered in his ear "You to apologized to Mr. Lee" and he did ,Osu I never saw that guy again and after that I knew Ray had a little street karate in him, my brah , I will miss you Ray Keller R.I.P ,Karate Man Osu my friend ,

Thank you for sharing you love of Christ and Martial Arts! God Bless you Sir!

Ray was the kindest man we have ever known, who loved God more than anything else in his life. We were honored and blessed to have met this gentle giant of a man and we will miss him greatly! Ray you always said if you were any better you would have to be twins, well brother you are dancing with Jesus now so you can't get any better than that! We look forward to seeing you again! Thank you for being our friend and showing us what it means to be a true servant of Christ! We love you always! Jack & Shawn Mullin