Lewellyn Jay Keel was born March 21, 1920 to Dink and Bess Keel in Stratford, Oklahoma and went on to be with the Lord Jesus on October 11, 2009. He was married to Oleta Deatherage in Juarez, Mexico on February 2, 1948 and later renewed their vows in Roswell, NM. Mr. Keel was a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation whose father, L.D. Keel was a full blood Chickasaw and an original enrollee. He served as a Sergeant with the United States Army Air Corp, 9th Air Force, attached to the 3rd Army in World War II. He was wounded in combat at Nancy France in 1944 and received many medals and ribbons including the WWII Victory Medal, two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Citation. He loved sports and was an excellent football player and boxer. Mr. Keel was a lifelong cattleman who loved horses and the land. He cherished the multiple hay meadows where he spent much time producing various types of hay. He was a general contractor concentrating on home construction for over forty years, building over 800 homes. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. A common man who set a high standard for hard work and was known as a person who would help anyone in any way. He possessed a toughness to be admired, always pushing ahead through adversity. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Ada. He was prepared to pass from this life because of his relationship with Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife, Oleta, parents, L.D. and Bess Keel, a son, James Weatherford and a sister, Madeline Bemo. Mr. Keel is survived by two daughters, Veta Wilson and her husband Max of Tulsa, Ann Bender and her husband Frank of Tulsa; two sons, Lyndon Keel of Holdenville, Jay Keel and his wife Donna of Ada; grandchildren, Mitchell Wilson of Tulsa, Max Jay Wilson and his wife Amanda of Sapulpa, Wyatt Keel, Allison Keel and Natalie Keel of Ada; great grandchildren, Maci Wilson, Malachi Wilson and Marissa Wilson of Sapulpa; four brothers, Earl Keel, Leland Keel, Kenneth Keel and Robert Keel; and four sisters, Ann Butler, Ruth Moss, Betty Lucas and Monzella Golden. Pall bearers are Mitchell Wilson, Max Jay Wilson, Wyatt Keel, Tommy Thompson, Bob Bemo, Steve Lucas and Lou Keel. The Reverend John Haynes will officiate the services at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 16, at the First Baptist Church of Ada. Interment at Swan Hill Cemetery. Criswell Funeral Home, Ada.

Published in The Oklahoman on October 14, 2009