WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP — Paul C. Keels Sr., former owner of Kenmont Dodge and Paul Keels' Kemper Dodge, died of complications from diabetes Thursday in Las Vegas, Nev.

        “One of his mottos was, he didn't want to be the biggest, just the best, and he was truly the best,” said his daughter, Kim Brewer of West Chester.

        She said her father was a “dedicated, committed, wonderful” man.

        “People that worked for him were just so loyal to him. He had a good wit and he was very caring and very loving.”

        Mr. Keels, 70, began his career in car sales in 1959 when he worked for several Lincoln Mercury dealers in Greater Cincinnati. He was a member of Lincoln Mercury's Inner Circle from 1959 to 1972.

        It was in the late '70s that he and some partners acquired Kenmont Dodge, which became an award-winning dealership for Chrysler.

        In 1986 he opened Paul Keels' Kemper Dodge in Tri-County.

        Mr. Keels was born in Chillicothe in 1931 and graduated from Lockland Wayne High School. He studied at Central State University in Wilberforce before serving with the National Security Agency in Washington, D.C., while in the Air Force.

        He retired last year and moved from his West Chester Township home to Las Vegas.

        Mr. Keels' professional memberships included the Dodge National Advisory Council and the Chrysler Minority Dealers Association. He was chairman of Performance Inc., and president of the Dodge Dealer Advertising Board.

        He was also a member of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, Lockland Wayne High School Alumni Group and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

        In addition to his daughter, Kim, survivors include: Iris, his wife of 49 years; four sons, Paul Keels Jr. of Columbus, Ohio, Anthony Keels of Fairfield, Timothy Keels of Las Vegas, and Mark Keels of Atlanta; another daughter, Crystal Keels of Bloomington, Ind.; a brother, Roger Keels of Indianapolis; and 12 grandchildren.

        A memorial service will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 10998 Southland Road, Forest Park. Mr. Keels' remains were cremated.

        Memorials: American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., Suite 102, West Chester, OH 45069.

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