Jack Keeling

Jack Keeling was born February 23, 1922 in Yellville, Marian County, Arkansas. He was the son of Thomas Elwood and Mary Arizona (Lay) Keeling. Jack was raised in Searcy County and attended school there.

Although a quiet man, Jack was extremely hard working. He learned these traits from his family at an early age and they have continued throughout his life. He was inducted into the service of his country during World War II. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during the war. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to his home in Arkansas.

In 1952, Jack moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma and began a long career as a heavy equipment operator. He worked on pipelines throughout the United States and Alaska for numerous companies. He operated for over twenty years out of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 627 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jack was married to Viola Ruby Hart on February 23, 1967 in Harrison, Arkansas. The couple spent the next seventeen years traveling as Jack continued to work on various pipeline projects. Jack retired in 1984. Viola preceded him in death on February 3, 1998.

Jack was a member of the Western Heights Baptist Church. He enjoyed country and gospel music. He loved to spend time outdoors working in his garden and mowing his yard. He additionally spend countless hours working on his tractors and mowing equipment.

Jack passed away on Saturday, September 22, 2001 at his home in Cleveland, Oklahoma at the age of seventy-nine years, six months and twenty-nine days. In addition to his wife, Jack was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Thomas, Everett and Fred; and three sisters, Glenna Kirk, Laura Norris and Eva Page.

Jack is survived by a daughter, Charlotte MacRae, Garland, Texas; son, Bill Janes, Cleveland, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Tammy Patterson, Garland, Texas; Bruce Foster, Little Rock, Arkansas; Michelle Parnell, Garland, Texas; Nature Southerland, Garland, Texas; Sonny Janes, Cleveland, Oklahoma; Lee Janes, Cleveland, Oklahoma; seven great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren, brother, Millard Keeling, Cleveland, Oklahoma; sister, Edith Agee, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He was a father and uncle to many more.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm, Tuesday, September 25, 2001 at the Western Heights Baptist Church in Cleveland with Rev. David Head officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

''Visit an Online Memorial and Guest Book for Fred Keeling at www.chapman-black.com''