Back to September 2026
Celebrating the life of Kellis Claude Berdoll
Kellis Claude Berdoll was born in Austin, Texas on June 27, 1940, to Ivy and Claude Berdoll. He spent his childhood working with his dad and brothers in the farming business in and around the Garfield Community. The Berdoll brothers were known for their expert knowledge and ability in harvesting and plowing.
Kellis developed an interest in pecan production when he spent time with a neighbor, O.C. Wimberley, in his orchard. In 1977, he began the endeavor of creating his own orchard by selecting varieties of pecans he hoped would be best for this area and with the help of his Uncle Arthur, he planted rows of trees through a pasture in the river bottom. While the trees were growing, he continued to farm and raise pigs and even added row crop between the trees, knowing it could take 10 years between planting trees and producing a pecan crop. The next year he decided to plant more trees. With the orchard complete, he could focus solely on producing quality pecans. Over the years, he won many awards and was recognized in the county and state for the outstanding pecans he produced. Kellis’s brothers grew an interest in pecan production, so each of the five brothers started their own orchard on land their dad had previously owned. Their orchards were side by side, and each did his own method of planting, cultivating, and harvesting his trees. Each had his own equipment and own ideas about how it should be done. They were interested in how each other managed their orchard but didn’t try to convince the other that their methods were best. They always got along well. Thus began the legacy of Berdoll Pecans.
Kellis expanded his operation around 2000 by planting a larger orchard on newly purchased land along FM969, and as traffic on Highway 71 grew, he sold the original orchard and focusing on the new site, steadily adding acreage until it reached its current size. He took great pride in seeing Lance and Travis carry the Berdoll Pecan legacy forward. Kellis was widely known and well‑liked far beyond his work as a pecan grower.
In lieu of flowers, please direct your donation to Haynie Chapel Church or Cemetery or a charity of your choice. Visit www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bastrop-tx/kellis-berdoll-13002768.
Kellis developed an interest in pecan production when he spent time with a neighbor, O.C. Wimberley, in his orchard. In 1977, he began the endeavor of creating his own orchard by selecting varieties of pecans he hoped would be best for this area and with the help of his Uncle Arthur, he planted rows of trees through a pasture in the river bottom. While the trees were growing, he continued to farm and raise pigs and even added row crop between the trees, knowing it could take 10 years between planting trees and producing a pecan crop. The next year he decided to plant more trees. With the orchard complete, he could focus solely on producing quality pecans. Over the years, he won many awards and was recognized in the county and state for the outstanding pecans he produced. Kellis’s brothers grew an interest in pecan production, so each of the five brothers started their own orchard on land their dad had previously owned. Their orchards were side by side, and each did his own method of planting, cultivating, and harvesting his trees. Each had his own equipment and own ideas about how it should be done. They were interested in how each other managed their orchard but didn’t try to convince the other that their methods were best. They always got along well. Thus began the legacy of Berdoll Pecans.
Kellis expanded his operation around 2000 by planting a larger orchard on newly purchased land along FM969, and as traffic on Highway 71 grew, he sold the original orchard and focusing on the new site, steadily adding acreage until it reached its current size. He took great pride in seeing Lance and Travis carry the Berdoll Pecan legacy forward. Kellis was widely known and well‑liked far beyond his work as a pecan grower.
In lieu of flowers, please direct your donation to Haynie Chapel Church or Cemetery or a charity of your choice. Visit www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bastrop-tx/kellis-berdoll-13002768.
