Myser Keels

Myser Keels died Sunday. He was the founder of the Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development, and a strong and important figure in southwest Fresno for many years.

Keith Kelley, another southwest Fresno stalwart, forwards the information that Myser's visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Yost and Webb Funeral Chapel. Services will be Saturday at Saint Joseph Baptist Church, on California and Martin across from Edison High School.

I first encountered this quietly powerful man back when his coalition was leading the fight to bring a supermarket to southwest Fresno, an area long overlooked and neglected when it came to services of all kinds. I wrote several editorials for The Bee in support of that effort -- some of the proudest work I've ever done.

But it was people in the community -- led by those like Myser -- whose persistence and determination not to be left out any longer led to the eventual victory in 1999. The Kearney Palms shopping center has been a success from the day it first opened, silencing the ignorant and sometimes prejudiced naysayers of years past.

Here's more from Keith on his longtime friend:

In Memory of Myser Keels

"My reward only comes from God. Nobody here can pay me for it" -- Myser Keels.

To city leaders, Myser Keels was once quoted as saying "You better get used to seeing me, because I'm going to be here." Not surprising to anyone who had the honor of meeting him. He was there to fight towards bringing the Social Security Administration building back to West Fresno. He was there in 1996, when due in large part to his diligence and willingness to speak out against inequity, it reemerged as a fixture in West Fresno.

He was heard nationwide in Tavis Smiley's New York Times bestseller, "The Covenant with Black America," as strong voice stating "we want choices" for the residents of West Fresno when it had no major grocery store to shop at. He was there when the area's first supermarket opened in 1999, which according to Tom Beggs, Kearney Palms developer, was largely due to Mr. Keel's "tireless work and unselfish devotion."

More than anything, Mr. Keels was there for anyone and everyone who needed him. A 1958 graduate of Edison High, Myser Keels was an unassuming man... a man whose grace and warmth was evident in every smile and embrace, a man who had unwavering faith in the potential of West Fresno and its residents. The Fresno Bee said Mr. Keels "...represents the best qualities of leadership: vision, integrity, compassion and strength. His spiritual presence is an important reminder to all of us, to 'do my best to do what is right.'"

On April 22, 2007, Myser Keels passed away. Undoubtedly, the legacy of his work will continue to be an inspiration to residents and community leaders alike. The culmination of his assertive work as an advocate, Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development, will continue the vision our founder, Mr. Keels, set for West Fresno. We mourn his passing, and offer our greatest condolences to his family.

In memory of founding chair,
Fresno West Coalition for Economic Development

(Photo by: Craig Kohlruss/Bee file)