Brian Keith Gressly passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday, Feb 5, 2021.  Keith was preceded in death by his parents(Francis and Lorraine Gressly), his dearly loved nephew Grant James Perkins ( September, 1992 - August, 2017) and his beloved and achingly missed son, Theodore Joshua Gressly (2000) .  He is survived by the lights of his life - his three children - Jacob Guth Gressly (3/7/98), Grace Walker Gressly (4/5/2001) and Natalie Ruth Gressly (2/6/2004).  Keith is also survived by Marlene (Molly) Guth Gressly, his best friend, former wife, life long partner and co parent all from Lebanon, OH, ( Jacob  is currently stationed in Kittery,  Maine)  and of course Gus, his faithful, old and a little crotchety, yet dearly loved black cat.  He is also survived by his older sister Pam Erdos (Phil) of Mercer, PA, his twin sister (older by a few minutes) Bobbie Kay Perkins (Greg) and the best nieces and nephews one could blessed with - (Grant), Brittany Eckhardt (Patrick), Jared Perkins, Tarah Erdos, Philip Erdos (Shea), Peter Erdos, Luke  Erdos(Dana), Andrew Erdos (Bethany) and Sarah Ciccone (Brian).  He also is blessed with 11 great nieces and nephews.

Keith and his twin sister Bobbie Kay were born in Natrona Heights PA on June 8, 1965.  The Gressly family moved around PA several times, settling in Waynesburg. Keith graduated from Waynesburg High School in 1983 where he excelled both academically and athletically.  Anyone who knew Keith understands how humble, understated and shy he was.  However, it would be remiss not to mention that he was an absolute football stud in high school recognized throughout the county and state for his athletic ability, was on the homecoming court, voted one of the best dressed and graduated the top of his class.

Keith chose not to play football in college and focused on his academics, graduating with honors from Anderson University in Anderson, IN the spring of 1987 majoring in Economics and Business and minoring in  Political Science.  Keith was awarded a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati College of Law and graduated with his Juris Doctorate in 1990 and then spent his entire career at LexisNexis (RELX) in Miamisburg.  Keith didn't even take time off from work to study for the bar examination.  Keith listened to study materials via cassette tapes (some will remember those) in the car as he commuted to LexisNexis from Cincinnati the summer of 1990 and of course he passed on the first try.  Ultimately,  Keith was Operations Technical Lead, managing all aspects of online delivery for LN proprietary content, Matthew Bender and Michie publications.  He had over 30 years with LexisNexis.  Keith was held in high esteem by all his colleagues and was at one time legendary on the sand volleyball court and softball fields with his LN coworkers.  Keith literally understood operational components about the LN online system that literally no one else working at LN and he will be greatly missed for his gentle yet infectious wit and his undeniable knowledge of the law and the LN proprietary systems.

Keith was a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan.  His love was unconditional, absolute and never waivered.  It is rumored that his wife refused to name their first son Donald Daniel in honor of THE Don Shula and Dan Marino, though Keith came to love the name Jacob.   His family is delighted the Dolphins had a pretty good year this year, and so wishes Keith could have experienced another perfect season by his beloved Dolphins, like their 1972 campaign.

Keith also loved doing yardwork, smoking a cigar here and there, the LAW and his books.  Keith had complete collections of leather bound books including all the classics, legal treatises, poets and more.  His reverence for well reasoned and articulate writing transcended every email, text, work memo or birthday card he wrote. Keith's thoughtfulness and methodical way of problem solving was a rare gift and all too often under appreciated.

What Keith loved more than life itself, was his children, Jacob, Grace and Natalie.  Jacob came into this world looking exactly like a miniature Keith.  The two were both those "engineering types" with a touch of cute nerd.   Keith had a deep unmitigated pride in his first born, a richly talented musician, welder (artistically and functionally) and Machinist Mate Nuclear 2nd Class Submarine Qualified on the USS California currently stationed at the Portsmith Navel Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.  Jacob enlisted in the United States Navy to ensure college money would be available for his sisters.  His selflessness and concern for his family was a source of deep pride for Keith.

Other than spending time with all three of his children together, Keith had no greater joy than watching Grace play softball.  While a multisport athlete when she was young, Keith was there every single step of Grace's journey in tee ball, coach pitch, Lebanon FastPitch, Lebanon Raptors, Ohio Thunder, OFC Heat, The Ohio Hawks and of course his favorite part of the journey - watching Grace play softball for the Warriors of  Lebanon High School.  His favorite part anyways, until Grace, his preemie with hearing and breathing issues, was offered an athletic scholarship to play softball at Wright State.  Nothing brought that wonderful smile to Keith's face than watching Grace play and keeping extensive spreadsheets of every single softball players' stats in the GWOC, Horizon League and 16u/18u Ohio Hawks.  He could not have been more proud if he tried watching Grace hit a stand up rbi double in the OHSAA State finals, hit two homeruns in the regional semifinals, a home run her first collegiate game,  smoking the ball for extra bases and rbis against Nebraska and New Mexico State and her 250 foot homer at PGF Nationals followed up by her walk off 2 rbi double in the same game for the win.  This was all the more special,  knowing that just about everyone G played for in her younger years underestimated Grace and didn't see what he did - Grace's  work ethic, her ability to grind, her fierce competitiveness and her bold grit and determination.  Keith's pride extended to G's quiet focus and strength when the WSU program was cut.  He could not have been happier for Grace when she committed to play softball at the University of Dayton last June.  Keith had already booked reservations for every single away game on UD's 2021 spring schedule and was ready to head for South Carolina this Thursday, 2/11/2021 to watch Grace and the UD Flyer softball team take the field on opening day Friday in Spartanburg.  The family is beyond grateful Keith was able to celebrate Grace on her UD media day last Wednesday and will be in SC  with him this weekend in spirit to cheer on the Flyers.  He will always be #9's biggest fan.

Finally, Keith absolutely adored Natalie Ruth.  Natalie was the best surprise the Gressly family ever received and we all are thankful to God everyday for how she completes our family.  Like his other children, Keith was there at every sports game, choir concert and loved watching Natalie kill it at JROTC drill meets.  But Keith had sincere respect for Nat's artistic ability.  He hung her art work proudly at home and at work and trusted her with special projects like the Gressly family crest.  Keith had never been prouder of Natalie then this year when, attending school remotely during Covid-19, got a job with Residential Community Care's Day Hab and spent her days bringing life and love to adults with Developmental Disabilities.  Natalie  was / is flourishing.  While Keith didn't quite make it to Natalie's birthday dinner Friday night, he had her gifts all ready and was ready to celebrate with Natalie and the rest of the family.

Most importantly, Keith allowed his three children to be who they wanted to be, never forcing them to pursue anything they didn't want to do or project expectations that were not in line with their desires and capabilities.   Keith loved them completely exactly how God made them.

Keith had a quiet but deep and abiding faith in the Lord, and the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Keith knew his Redeemer lives and nothing brings Molly, Jacob, Grace and Natalie greater peace and joy than knowing Keith is in heaven with his heavenly father and Teddy.

The family is moved beyond words at the outpouring of love and support but could not have made it all these years without the unconditional love from Nancy R. Guth, the love and kindness displayed by Keith's colleagues at LexisNexis, the love extended by Resurrection Lutheran Church,  St. Francis in Lebanon (especially all the CYO families), Aaron and everyone at the Lebanon Music Academy, the countless families we met through school,  sports and JROTC including the Muellers, the Marrs, and the Wesleys, teachers and coaches from St. Francis, The Warren County Career Center and Lebanon City Schools, Coach Laura Matthews, Coach Dave,  Coach Cara LaPlaca and the UD softball team.

Jacob, Grace, Natalie and Molly would not have made it these past few days without the love and support from Sue Ellen Koch and the Koch family and Wendell Hutchinson.  They have carried us and we are humbled by all the love and support.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 14, 2021 at Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home, 329 E. Mulberry St. Lebanon, OH.  Visitation at 2:00 pm and services at 3:00 pm by Deacon Rich Hobbs.

Friends are welcome in person and social distancing practices will be enforced.  Face masks will be required.  Capacity will be limited to 75 individuals at a time.  Streaming arrangements for the service can be viewed by visiting, https://youtu.be/geY7aJ5HlXc .  The family cherishes every message of support and stories and welcomes more.

Brian Keith Gressly and Theodore Joshua Gressly will be interred in a separate committal/recommittal service at a later date in Lebanon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:

• Gloria Taylor Memorial Scholarship in memory of B. Keith Gressly

Lebanon High School Athletic Department

1916 Drake Rd., Lebanon, OH 45036

• University of Dayton Softball Restricted Fund (in memory of B. Keith Gressly)

300 College Park

Dayton, OH  45469

• The B. Keith Gressly Memorial Fund

Any Fifth Third Bank location