Obituary of Harold Eugene Keene

Harold Eugene Keene, 93, passed away Friday, August 17, 2018 at John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, MO.

He was born on August 30, 1924 at Coffeyville, KS to Alford Roland and Ora Mae (Goodpaster) Keene. Harold grew up and attended school in Coffeyville graduating from Field Kindley High School.

He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army from May 1943 until receiving his honorable discharge in February 1946. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After being discharged from the Army he returned to Coffeyville.

In 1946 Harold married Nellie Jo Hedges. Following their marriage they made their home in Coffeyville where Harold at the Co-op Refinery in the Coking Unit. While living in Coffeyville Harold and Jo were members of the Emmanuel Southern Baptist Church. After 22 years of working at the refinery Harold took early retirement and the couple moved to Denison, TX to become owners and managers of three laundry businesses.

Harold and Jo sold their very successful businesses after 10 years of ownership and retired to Grand Lake. Making their home in the Grove, OK area where they were members of the Baptist Church and Harold worked part time at the True Value Hardware store.

In May 1997 they decided to move to Joplin, MO to be closer to doctors and hospitals. They were members of the Forest Baptist Church. Jo preceded him in death on June 21, 2004 from cancer. Harold continued to live in Joplin until September 2015 when he moved to John Knox Village, a retirement community in Lee's Summit, MO to be closer to family.

His hobbies included restoring 1930 Model A Ford's, playing cards with his grandsons and great-grandkids, having eating contests with the great-grandkids at Golden Coral, restoring antique furniture and watching NFL football.

Harold is survived by two sons, Gary Keene and wife, Nicki of Lee's Summit, MO, and Don Keene and wife, Louise of Houston, TX; two grandsons, Chad Keene and wife, Jennifer, and Ryan Keene and wife Sara; and six great-grandchildren, Allie, Cale, Camden, Elena, Reigh, and Rowdy.

Harold was the best father, grandfather and great-grandfather any family could have ever asked for. We all loved him and will miss him very much, but we know he is no longer suffering and is in heaven with his wife Jo, and son Jerry.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Fairview Cemetery Veterans Memorial Patio in Coffeyville with military honors conducted by V.F.W. Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20.. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Friends may call on Friday, August 24th from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.