Dan was born on September 7, 1942, in Delta County, Texas, to John Daniel and Alva Lee Wickersham Kesler. Dan married Bettie Beene Houser on his 39th birthday in 1981. Together they resided in Greenville, Texas, for the remainder of his life.
A graduate of Cooper High School, Dan was a football star and appeared in the first issue of Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine. He served his country as a member of the United States National Guard. He worked as a brakeman and conductor for the Cotton Belt Railroad for 33 years and proudly led his fellow workers as their representative with the United Transportation Union. After an injury prompted an early retirement, Dan enjoyed many years raising cattle and tending to his hay meadow. Strong physically and in personality, Dan/Pops/Daddy Dan will be remembered as a ''man's man'' with a tender heart, as evidenced by the enormous love he had for his family and friends. His very favorite days were those when numerous relatives would gather together at his home to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Dan was immensely proud of the Kesler family name and heritage. He instilled that pride in every member of his own family.
Dan is survived by Bettie, his cherished wife and devoted companion of 44 years, son Daniel Brent Kesler and daughter-in-law Jennie of Lewisville, daughter Kellie Kesler Pope and son-in-law Rogers of Tyler, stepson Ricky Joe Houser and daughter-in-law Tammy of Greenville, as well as grandchildren Makenzie Kesler Elbert and husband Trevor of Heath, Sydnie Grace Stover of Longview, and Casey Preston Stover of Tyler. He was soon-to-be a great-grandfather to Knox Kesler Elbert, who is due April 28th. He is also survived by five step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. His beloved sister, Pat Morris, of Sandy, Utah, is the last surviving member of the Kesler siblings.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents, along with siblings Alva Kesler, John Kesler, Lila Faye Hocutt, Ravenna Pruett, William Kesler, and Don Kesler, who was his best friend, father figure and hero.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at 2 p.m. at Forest Park Cemetery officiated by Reverend Roger Ratliff.
Pallbearers: Sam Bettes, Cody Bettes, Jeff Kesler, Jeremy McClanahan, Jason Morris and Tod Nuckols. Honorary pallbearers: Kenneth Humble, Edd Coffman, and Kelley Stone.
The family is deeply grateful to Ricky Houser, Tod Nuckols, and the staff from Vitas Healthcare and Legend Healthcare for the extraordinary and compassionate care they provided during Dan's final days.
A special thanks is also extended to Kenneth Humble for being such a cherished and devoted friend to Dan in recent years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Museum of the American Railroad or Dementia Society of America in memory of Dan Kesler.
Donations may be made to www.dementiasociety.org or www.historictrains.org
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