Homer Kay Kessler

Homer Kay Kessler, 89, of Medford, OR parachuted into heaven Monday, Aug. 11, 2014. He was born April 13, 1925 in Craig, CO to Homer & Ethel Grace (Smith) Kessler. Homer and his family eventually moved to Brookings, OR where they started a family lumber company. After 13 years, Homer started his own construction company. Later he worked for South Coast Lumber Co as their construction supervisor, retiring in 1991. He married Catherine T. (Pitts) Kessler on August 27, 1946 and they were married 49 years when she passed in 1995. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Velda Leota (Rodgers) Kessler. Homer served honorably and received two purple hearts while serving in the 17th Airborne Division in the US Army during WWII in the Parachute Infantry. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He & Velda attended the 1st Church of the Nazarene for many years. He enjoyed woodworking, house building, golfing and his family. Memorial contributions are suggested to Sacred Heart or First Nazarene or any charity of choice.
Survivors include his wife Velda Leota Kessler of Medford, OR; brother, Phillip Kessler of Williams, OR; daughter Mary K. (John) Allen of Vancouver, WA; sons, Keith Kessler of Salem, OR and Kurt (Kathy) Kessler of Brookings, OR; daughter-in-law Victoria Kessler of Brookings, OR; step children, Cheryl (Jon) Shellenberger of Derby, KS; Lonnie Dye of North Bend, OR; and Kim (Dave) Allen of Medford, OR; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00AM Saturday, August 16, 2014 at Memory Gardens Chapel, 1395 Arnold Lane, Medford. Funeral services will follow at 1:00PM Saturday, at 1st Church of the Nazarene, 1974 E. McAndrews Rd, Medford. Interment with military honors will be 11:00AM Monday, August 18, 2014 at Eagle Point National Cemetery.