John Milton Keesling passed away peacefully Feb. 4, 2006, surrounded by his family in Davis, following a brief illness. John was born in San Francisco on Sept. 30, 1922, to Hector and Margaret Keesling. He graduated from San Mateo High School where he met his future bride, Merle Martin. He attended San Mateo Junior College, interrupting his studies to serve in the Army Air Corp for four years during World War II. John and Merle were married in 1943 and began their lives together in North Burlingame, and later moved to Los Altos. John was an insurance underwriter for the next several years, a job that would take the family to Portland, Ore., and then on to Seattle, Wash., before they eventually returned to Palo Alto to be close to family. John left the insurance business in the 1960s to open Keesling's Antiques with Merle, a shop they operated in Los Altos for almost 18 years. During this time, they helped establish the Los Altos Antique Dealer's Association. Many of John's favorite childhood memories were of family vacations spent at Lake Almanor, and in 1978, John and Merle decided to move to the lake permanently. His great love for the outdoors was a constant draw for him. If the wind was up, he would head to the dock for a quick sail. If the snow was powdery, it didn't take much to convince him to head out for a cross-country ski trip. One of his biggest loves was riding his bicycle around the lake or to Domingo Springs. He and Merle were members of the Lake Almanor Wheel People. John served as Cubmaster and Scout Master in Los Altos and Palo Alto and later would participate in the 50-mile backpacking trips with the scouts and his family. He was a volunteer for the Hamilton Branch Fire Department at Lake Almanor for 15 years serving as a fireman, radio operator and driver of the department tanker truck. He served as Commodore for the La Presa Grande Yacht Club at Lake Almanor and was a member of the Hamilton Branch Community Service District Water Board. John touched many lives and always made time for family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 63 years, Merle; son Richard Keesling of Mountain View, son and daughter-in-law Robert and Jan Keesling of Destin, Fla., son and daughter-in-law Peter and Peg Keesling of San Martin; and daughter and son-in-law Betsy and Gary Peterson of Davis. He was Gramp to Bill, Sarah, Mary, and John Keesling, and Alicia and Daniel Peterson. He also leaves behind his sister and brother-in-law Jane and Jim Trevor of Hillsborough, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law Ginger and Jig Ramage of Coronado, Calif.; and brother and sister-in-law Tom and Ruth Keesling of Englewood, Colo.; along with many nieces and nephews.