Obit of Keith, Eugene Vance - Texas County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 23 Apr 2006 Return to Texas County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/texas/texas.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Keith, Eugene Vance Eugene Vance Keith, 74, of Oklahoma City went to be with his Lord on March 12, 2004. He was born to Lou and Hazel Keith on December 30, 1929 in Afton, Oklahoma. Gene was joined in marriage to Jeannine Laramore on January 6, 1951. He was a graduate of Miami High School in Miami, Oklahoma with the class of 1947 and obtained an Associate Degree in 1950 from NEO in Miami before going on to serve two years in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps. After completing his military obligation, Gene returned to college, playing football for Wichita State University before graduating in 1955. He went on to attain a Master's Degree from Pittsburgh State University and completed work for his PhD. at Oklahoma State University. An avid supporter of and believer in public education, Gene began his teaching career in Kiowa and Medicine Lodge, Kansas. He was a wonderful teacher always striving to improve young minds and instill students with a desire to achieve and to never step learning. He loved to coach all sports and touched many lives throughout his career as a coach. He believed that participation in sports and belonging to a team taught young men and women skills to prepare them for the realities of life and better equip them for success. After five years in Kansas, he returned to Oklahoma to serve the remainder of his career in his home state. Gene began in Miami as a coach and teacher, later becoming an Assistant Principal. He transferred to Medford in 1963 staying for six years as the Superintendent of Schools. In 1969; Gene and his family relocated to Guymon where he served as Superintendent of Schools for the next twenty years. After retiring from public education, he remained active in education, serving as a liaison officer in the Oklahoma legislature for Northwest Administrators. Gene served as the Executive Director for the Cooperative Council of School Administrators from 1991 to 1995. At the time of his death, he was serving as Director for Oklahoma School Assurance Group. Gene was the recipient of many awards throughout his career. Although too numerous to mention, he and his family were most proud of the 1983-84 Administrator of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Association of Oklahoma School Administrators which was awarded in 1996. He was an active member in several professional educational organizations. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member in good standing of the Valley of Guthrie Orient of Oklahoma and the Cosmos Lodge #278, Kiowa, Kansas. Gene was preceded in death by his father, Lon Keith. He is survived by his wife Jeannine of the home; daughters Sherry Kishore of Prague, Oklahoma; Cynthia Lakin and husband, Jim, of Guymon, Oklahoma; Karen Morris and husband, Greg, of Houma Louisiana. His grandchildren were very precious to him: Shelley Harmon and husband, Mark, of Lucien, Oklahoma; CPT Jason Jefferis of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma; Autumn Ellis and husband, Kyle, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Heath and Brandon Lakin of Stiliwater, Oklahoma; Will Morris of Houma, Louisiana; Katelyn Lakin of Guymon, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two great grandsons, Trenton Harmon and Cole Ellis. He is also survived by his mother, Hazel Keith of Afton, Oklahoma; brother, Gerald Keith and wife, Norma, of Miami, Oklahoma; and sisters, Newana Reed of Miami, Oklahoma and Lea Ann Curtiss of Hendersom Nevada and numerous nieces and nephews. Gene was a loving husband for 53 years who never failed to show his love for Jeannine on a daily basis. To his three daughters, he was a father who took his duties seriously and never failed to be there for them. He never left the house or went to bed without kissing all goodnight. His pride in his grandchildren was obvious and he enjoyed watching them grow. Whether encouraging others, sharing laughter, or hugging little ones, Gene believed strongly in giving of himself. Love for others, gratitude for life's blessings, generosity, and willingness to serve were high priorities in the life of Gene Keith. He believed in service to others and whatever was good for the group. His wisdom and love will forever be missed in our lives. Gene was a member of the Putnam City Baptist Church where he loved working in the nursery with the little children. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, 15 March at the Putnam City Baptist Church located at 11401 N. Rockwell. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Cooperative Council Oklahoma School Administration (CCOSA), 2901, Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105, where a scholarship in Gene's name will be established. Published in the Oklahoman on 3/14/2004. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Texas County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/texas/texas.html