Richard H. Keller Sr.

Richard Hughes Keller Sr. of Manassas, Virginia, passed away on March 7, 2026. Born in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in 1930 to Richard Daniel Keller and Esseline Hughes Keller, Dick graduated with honors from Orangeburg High School in 1946 at the age of sixteen.

Raised in the automobile business, Dick began attending auto auctions with his father at age eight. He became the first retail salesman hired at his local Oldsmobile dealer after World War II. In 1955, at just twenty-five, he established Keller Oldsmobile Company in Thompson, Georgia, becoming the youngest dealer in the state. Over the following decades, he held roles as salesman, sales manager, general manager, and part owner at dealerships in Florida, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. In 1976, he opened Dick Keller Automobiles, EZ Finance Company, and Dick Keller Enterprises in Fairfax, Virginia, later relocating the businesses to King George, where he also founded Sealston Automotive. His distinguished career in the automotive industry spanned sixty-six years across three states and the District of Columbia. He was known for his honest and fair business practices, guided by the motto, “We Sell With One Idea In Mind – To Sell Again.”

A Korean War veteran, Dick served proudly in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. He was a longtime member of the Virginia Automotive Dealers Association, serving in both district and state presidential roles.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marguerite Keller Moak, and his son Richard Hughes Keller Jr. Dick is survived by his devoted wife of forty-five years, Brigitte Matthews, his sons Harold Keller and his wife Eileen of Harlem, Georgia, and Jack Keller of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, as well as stepsons Mike Matthews and his wife Anna of King George, Virginia, and Glenn Matthews and his wife Tracy of Manassas, Virginia. He is also survived by his nephew Daniel Moak and his wife Joanna, and niece Julie Moak of Lilburn, Georgia. Dick took great pride in his grandchildren Megan, Tara, Scotty, Anna, Caitlyn, Maddie, Cori, Josh, Justin, Lorelai, Morgan, and Riley, and he cherished his many great-grandchildren. A man of deep faith, he was a member of Prince of Peace United Methodist Church in Manassas, where he found joy in prayer and song. He loved sharing stories with friends and family, was a passionate animal lover and supporter of animal causes, and lived as a kind, positive man of his word who was always ready to help others. His customers often became lifelong friends. Dick’s warm smile, good nature, and firm handshake will be deeply missed by all who knew him.