Donald Roosevelt Keeney

Duty to God, Family, Country…. these were the primary characteristics that marked our father, Donald Roosevelt Keeney, who died peacefully on March 26, 2026, one month shy of his 92nd birthday. His heart broken from the 2024 loss of his beloved wife of 68 years, Ella Rae Keeney, finally gave out and now he joins her in paradise.

He is survived by his two sons, Kanyon Keeney (Tami), Kris Keeney (Carla), and 7 grandchildren, Austin Bailey (James), Molly Keeney, Jesse Keeney Shaffer (Chris), Madeline Keeney, Pryce Keeney, Gunnar Keeney and Garrett Keeney. He is also survived by 4 great grandchildren.

Dad was born April 30, 1934, in the small coal-mining town of Providence, Kentucky. He was the first from this humble parish to graduate from college, pursuing a football scholarship and obtaining his undergraduate degree from Southern Utah State College followed by a Masters degree. He rose to the rank of full Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, was a distinguished graduate of the National War College as well as the US Air Force Pilot Training Program. He flew over 200 missions during two tours in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, with over 500 flight hours. We were blessed he returned to us alive. He received numerous medals, awards and decorations for gallantry and valor in aerial combat, including the Flying Cross, the Bronze Star and Silver Star.

Colonel Keeney loved his family and consistently placed their wellbeing ahead of his own. He declined an opportunity for promotion to the rank of General by not agreeing to relocate his family overseas. By then he had moved his family seventeen times, and his boys were happily ensconced in middle and high schools in Northern Virginia. He chose family continuity and happiness over career advancement and the material advantages that naturally come with it. This is but one example drawn from many.

He also adored his role as “Pop-PoP” to his 7 grandchildren, provided courtesy of his two sons. One grandchild event of a precarious note deserves special mention: at a large multi-family summer gathering involving a swimming pool, the Colonel’s 2-year-old grandson Garrett availed of parental eyes momentarily distracted, promptly meandering off the pool ledge into the deep end, sinking precipitously. The Colonel saw this, sprinting and diving into the pool (at age 70, fully dressed), rescuing the unscathed tot. It was scary and intense. To this day, Garrett literally owes Pop-Pop his life. Again, but one example.

The Colonel professed to be a work-in-progress and he worked hard on improving himself to the very end. Among the many topics he enjoyed studying, his favorites included the ways and teachings of the Savior and of the Apostle Paul, on whom he pursued his Doctoral Thesis while living in Northern Virginia.

The Keeney family thanks all of Dad’s friends who were so supportive during his declining health. They all look forward to seeing him again in the life to come. The family also thanks the devoted nurses and aids at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick. Our family will be forever grateful to the many long hours that Jordan Griffis spent on his care over the past several years. Her devotion will never be forgotten. The Colonel loved her dearly.

A family graveside service will be held at Quantico National Cemetery in the imminent future. Arrangements are under the direction of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.