Leslie Edmund Keizer

Leslie Edmund Keizer’s life journey of 85 years ended peacefully February 23, 2011 at Gordon Hospital in Calhoun, Georgia. His exciting journey took him all over the world, but the joy of his journey was in his profound love and commitment to God and his family. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Gloria (Empestan) Keizer, his sons and daughters-in-law, Earle and Ann of Canton, GA, Lester of Las Vegas, NV, Garth and Barbara of Collegedale, TN and Laverne and Lishcia of Calhoun, GA, 7 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and many close friends. Born in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), November 25, 1925, to plantation owners from the Netherlands, his early teenage years were spent enduring harsh conditions in a concentration camp during World War II. His serenity and spirituality that helped him prepare for a life of ministry and service was defined and refined during these traumatic times as a prisoner of war. After the war, Leslie attended Philippine Union College where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Education and met his lifelong bride Gloria Empestan. They were married on April 2, 1952. After their wedding, he continued at Philippine Union College and obtained a second degree in education and welcomed his first son, Earle. His first missionary assignment was in Indonesia where he taught religion at Indonesia Union College and preached at Dutch speaking churches in the area. During the time he and Gloria spent in Indonesia, they were blessed with the arrival of their second son, Lester. Leslie was next assigned to New Guinea where he literally carved out from the jungles one of the first schools in that country. It was here that their third son, Garth, was born. Two days after leaving New Guinea to go to graduate school in the Philippines, he lost his house and everything his family owned to a communist take over of the country. This did not dampen his love for mission service, so after obtaining his master’s degree from Philippine Union College, he accepted an invitation to go to Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, where he served both as an educator and minister, planting many churches and promoting Christian education. While serving in Borneo, he and Gloria also welcomed their fourth son, Laverne. Recognizing his skills as an administrator, his church asked him to serve as President of the Surinam Mission in South America. He and Gloria taught school and he preached in the surrounding villages. His final years as a missionary were in the asphalt jungles of Patchogue, New York, where he served as Assistant Pastor of the Patchogue SDA Church and Principal of the Patchogue Christian School. He taught grades 5-8, while Gloria taught grades 1-4. While in New York, he and Gloria were both awarded the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award. He retired to Calhoun, GA in 1998 where he continued to serve as a substitute teacher at Coble Elementary School. He was a member of the Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church, and also continued to preach when needed at both the Adairsville and Ranger Seventh-day Adventist Churches. He continued to influence those around him with his gentle, sweet spirit and his love for God and family. His last few years were spent at Morning Pointe at Greenbriar Cove in Collegedale, TN, where he shared his life experiences with any who would listen. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. Leslie Keizer was laid to rest in Collegedale Memorial Park Cemetery on February 25, 2011. A memorial service in celebration of his life journey will be held March 5, 2011 at Calhoun SDA Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Calhoun Seventh-day Adventist Church for the Coble Elementary Building Fund, 1411 Rome Road, Calhoun, GA. 30701. Arrangement were conducted by Thomas Funeral Home