Warren Douglas Kegley
Mr. Warren Douglas Kegley, 80, of Covington, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at his
residence.
Born in Bluefield, W.Va., on November 14, 1944, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ruth
Kegley.
Warren joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18 after leaving high school with his
GED in 1964. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and, during his 10-year Marine career, he
earned the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service
Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and earned a Vietnam
Campaign Medal with Device Combat Action Ribbon. In the Marines, he completed Basic NCC
Leadership School in 1964, Career Information and Counseling Course in 1967, and Drill
Instructor School training in 1969. He served in Vietnam from August 6, 1967, through May 31,
1968.
Following his military service, Warren joined the Virginia State Police, serving as a trooper and
investigator for 26 years. During his time with the Virginia State Police, he also served as a
member of the Swat Team.
Warren was also co-owner of Rupert Real Estate in Covington and continued to work until his
health wouldn’t allow.
He was a graduate of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College and faithfully served his
community through his memberships in the Covington-Hot Springs Rotary Club, Covington
VFW Post 1033, the Virginia State Police Association, and the Covington Moose.
Even though he continued to work after winning the lottery in October 1996, Warren really won
the lottery on November 23, 1984, when he married the love of his life, Teenie Watts, to whom
he was married for 40 years.
Affectionately known as “Pops” to his family, he was welcomed into a warm family with open
arms when he married Teenie. As recounted by his stepdaughter, Debbie, “Pops came into our
lives long after I had left home, but we welcomed him with open arms and counted our blessings
that he and mother found each other. He was the grandfather every child dream of. He was a
prankster. He would get in my car unbeknownst to me, and change every radio station to country.
He would tie the kids’ tennis shoes together or fill the toes with toilet paper — every single pair.
The kids would rather take him on trips than a friend. Every week the kids were in college, he
sent them a care package filled with goodies and money.”
She added, “Pops always looked like a million bucks in his uniform, and even in his everyday
dress, his clothes were pressed, and his belt buckle aligned with his fly flap. He pressed every
single one of our graduation gowns, even mine when I graduated from law school. Vietnam took
his peace when he slept, Parkinson’s took his last few years, but for 40 years, he and mother
shared magic. Who gets that when they don’t get married until 50? They indeed won the lottery
in the best possible way when they discovered each other. She was hell-bent he would remain in
the home he knew and loved, and that he did. I imagine he entered the pearly gates, ramrod
straight, impeccably dressed with a smile on his face and a song on his lips.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Kegley.
Warren is survived by the love of his life, Teenie Watts Kegley; a son, Keith Kegley (Joy); one
special daughter, McKenna Kegley; two grandsons, Mike and Cody Kegley; and seven great-
grandchildren.
He is also survived by his stepchildren, Debbie Mestre (Jose) and Max Miller (Donna); five
grandchildren, Susan Dressler (Trey), Brook Mestre (Lauren), Adam Mestre, Matthew Miller
(Christine), and Anna Grace Miller; six great-grandchildren, Anna German (the love of his life),
Emma Dressler, Winston Mestre, Walker Mestre, and Ellis and Rosemary Mestre; and one
brother, Carl Kegley.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 13, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Arritt Funeral
Home with the Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday, prior to the service, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Serving as pallbearers will be members of the Virginia State Police Honor Guard.
A poem written for Teenie and Warren, entitled “For Nan and Pops,” perfectly sums up the
everlasting love Warren and Teenie shared for each other:
She stood behind the counter,
He sat behind the wheel.
It all started at Petticoat Junction
As he tried to turn his nerves to steel.
Coming in as often as he could,
While working for the State,
He sought to find the gumption
To ask her for a date.
But, instead, he would shift from foot to foot
And order another cup of swirl,
Stalling as he tried to muster the nerve
To ask her to be his girl.
They needed someone special,
To start a life anew.
They found it in each other,
And built a life for two.
They put off telling us of their new-found love,
How might it look in some folks’ eyes;
But they need not have worried,
The age difference bothered no one — much to their surprise.
For a quarter century, they’ve been each other’s soulmates;
It’s quite a feat, indeed.
Just calm, cool Pops and, of course,
His sweetheart, Teenie Ten-Speed.
Arritt Funeral Home have been entrusted with handling Mr. Kegley's arrangements.
The family suggests that memorial tributes be made in memory of Warren D. Kegley, to Mountain Gateway Community College, Educational Fund M.G.C.C., 1000 College Drive, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.
Friends wishing to send condolences to the family may do so at arrittfuneralhome.com.
