Mateland Lestery Keith, Jr.

Mateland “Red” Lestery Keith, Jr. ascended to heaven peacefully with his family by his side on the morning of Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Baptist South Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida.  He was born on August 18, 1942, in Waycross, Georgia to Mateland Lestery Keith, Sr. and Margaret “Peggy” Norman Keith. He was a 1960 graduate of Waycross High School.  After graduating, he honorably served in the Navy from 1960-1963. Next, he attended Valdosta State College and then transferred to Southern Tech. He began his career as an engineer with Western Electric in 1965 and then continued on with General Telephone of Florida (GTE) in 1966.  He continued with GTE as a senior executive with domestic and international responsibilities until his retirement in 2001.

Mateland was a beloved husband, dad, friend, and “Papa” who loved spending time with his family and taking long walks with his puppy, Sugar Bear. In addition, he was an avid reader with an amazing sense of humor who always loved a challenge.

Mateland was preceded in death by his father, Mateland Lestery Keith, Sr.; his mother, Margaret “Peggy” Norman Keith; and his sister, Dorothy “Dottie” Susan Bowen.

Mateland is survived by his wife of 57 years Linda Tanner Keith of Fleming Island, FL; his daughter, Heather Keith Pressler (spouse, Leigh Pressler) of Fleming Island, FL; his son, Mateland Lestery Keith, III (spouse, Sarah Gastel) of Venice, FL, his brother-in-laws David Tanner of Waycross, GA, and Dave (spouse, Janet Purchase) of Mississauga, Canada, and his many nieces and nephews.

In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa”, Mateland Lestery Keith IV (spouse, Kat Keith) of Indianapolis, IN; Hanna Keith and Aubrie Keith of Ft. Worth, TX; and Rhianna Pressler and Bethany Pressler of Fleming Island, FL. 

A Celebration of Life will be held later in August.