Obituary

Fred Louis Kellmeyer passed away April 28, 2025, after a long illness.

A resident of Charleston, WV, he worked for more than 60 years in the Insurance industry, receiving numerous awards. His career began with the Fred N. Kellmeyer Agency and Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. In recognition of his outstanding service, Fred was honored in a Penn Mutual Top Club advertisement in LOOK magazine. Fred then blossomed into a partner role with Grimm, Kellmeyer, Garlow and Associates Insurance Agency, Inc., where he continued until his illness. Fred was best remembered by his clients and co-workers for his integrity, dedication, and true passion for the industry.

Born in Wheeling, WV, on April 9, 1941, to Mary Lee and Fred N. Kellmeyer, he spent his childhood in Charleston, where his father introduced him to sports as a youngster. At Charleston High School Fred excelled in football (where he played Quarterback) and also enjoyed participating in track and basketball. However, his standout sport was tennis for which he and his beloved sister, Peachy, shared such a passion. Together, they guided the men’s and women’s teams to multiple tennis titles. Upon graduation, Fred attended Hampden-Sydney College, a Liberal Arts college in Virginia.

Fred and his sister, Peachy, grew up playing tennis at the Charleston Tennis Club. In the summers, their father would drop them off at the Tennis Club on his way to work and take them home after finishing his own evening tennis match. As a junior player, Fred was honored to participate in the USJCC Annual Junior and Boys International Tennis Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. Fred participated in tournaments in various places including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and even Canada. He was a member of the men’s 4.0 team that won the 1990 National Tennis Championship. For Fred, tennis was a lifetime passion where he learned the value of triumphs and the ability to handle defeats.

It was a love of life and people that made it easy for Fred to adapt and to be successful in the insurance business. Small in stature but large in heart, he loved music and dancing and could often be found taking his children and grandchildren to Morgantown for WVU football games. He considered Florida and the beach “second homes” and cherished spending time there with family and friends.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 35 years, Dixie; son, David (Terrie) Kellmeyer of San Diego, CA; son, Christopher Kellmeyer of St. Petersburg, FL; daughter, Katherine (Geoff) Atkinson of Carlsbad, CA; stepdaughter, Amy Paxton of Charleston, WV; sister, Fern Lee “Peachy” Kellmeyer of Largo, FL; sister, Kay Kellmeyer of Deerfield Beach, FL; and grandchildren, Naish, Colton, and Poppy Kellmeyer of San Diego, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Fred’s memory to https://www.ustafoundation.com or Hospice Care WV, 1606 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston, WV 25387.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Charleston Tennis Club, 1600 Tennis Club Road, Charleston, WV 25314.

You may send condolences to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.