We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing.  He was a very nice man and Mike
enjoyed working with him.  Violet, we send our condolences and will be praying for you and your family.  Mike and Diane Barr, Baton Rouge, La.

Donald, I sure miss you and the family.  At least you are now with our Savior, Jesus Christ, and other family members.  I love you.

Dear Keen Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Donald Keen set the bar pretty high for fathers, grandfathers, and folks in general. He was a great example of how to live and love.  May God bless our family.

I am greatly saddened to learn of my cousin's passing.   Loved his quiet ways and love of Christ. As a kid, I was always fascinated by the fantastic model airplanes that he built and flew. Rest in peace dear cousin. Sorry I didn't hear about this sooner.

Such wonderful tender memories listed by close family... let me add a little from a cousin with fond memories of Donald.   I spent lots of time with Donald's parents on their farm outside of Zachary, LA when I was young... and can remember he and Violet coming by, and sometimes Donald would take me for a ride on Old Mac the horse to lead those cows in for milking.  Donald was much like his father, Earl; soft spoken, but firm when needed to be like when we kids would hide from Carey.  As I have gotten older, I sure miss all the family gatherings held every single year... I'll bet he never missed one.  Farewell, my dear cousin - say hello to your Mom and Dad, and mine... and I look forward to meeting with all of you again in Heaven one day.

A man who works with his hands is a laborer;

A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman;

But a man who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.  
~Louis Nizer

Mr. Keen will be missed. I count myself lucky to be able to see a pure legacy of kindness and a gentle strength in his children and grandchildren.  A privilege to know him!

Papa Keen was a man with many admirable traits and qualities. He spoke only when needed, was true to his word, and lead by through example and with his actions. The entire Keen family remembers him as not only a father or grandfather but also as a friend. If I were to simply write a list of all the good things about him and the many lessons he taught me I would require an entire dictionary and at least enough paper to write a short novel. Needless to say his legacy will live on with our family stronger than ever. He was a good man, the type of person that is in short supply in our world. Thanks to his efforts as a father and a grandfather there are now more of those people in this world. It is our responsibility and obligation to live our lives in a way that would make Grandpa proud. It is also a pleasure to know that he will be able to look down on us fulfilling this duty here on Earth.

Dad never told us it was our responsibility to serve others.  It was something we learned by the example he set.
 
The local church, community pool, ball field, or helping family members who's home had flooded.  If there was a need, big or small, Dad stepped in to help.  Because of the example dad set for us it was only natural to serve others when I was asked to lend a hand.  As my son Joseph joined scouting, I served when I could.  Later I was asked to become an assistant scout master.  At first I was reluctant and asked what was involved in scouting besides camping and having fun.  Our local scout master answered, we teach boys to serve God, our community, and nation.  I said, Well, ok!.  We started with a simple oath, 


On my honor I will do my best 
o do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout law,
to help other people at all times 
o keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake and 
morally straight.
 
Dad was not a scout but...

God was first in our family.
We flew the flag to honor our veterans and our country.
He took us along to help other people.
We were physically strong whether we liked it or not.  If it needed to be done at the Keen house we did it, not someone else!
If we weren't mentally awake at school we would go nowhere on the weekends.
And if we weren't morally straight that was immediately adjusted.
 
We never needed an oath and we were never preached to.  Dad silently taught these characteristics by example.
 
Because of my dad, being a scout master has felt very natural.  It's an honor to serve and teach my children and other young men the things dad has taught to me.   The world would be a better place if more fathers taught these values.  
 
Thanks Dad! 
 
I know without a doubt that the first thing my dad heard from his heavenly father was, well done my good and faithful servant, Matthew 25:21.  

- Joe Keen

When you can place someone's name in place of the word love in 1 Corinthians 13: 4  7 because they have lived their days exemplifying each verse to you,  you have been blessed to know someone who walks in the presence of God.  Donald Ray Keen, Sr. was patient, he was kind, he did not envy, nor did he boast, he was not proud, he did not dishonor others, he was not self-seeking, he was not easily angered, he kept no record of wrongs, he did not delight in evil, he rejoiced with the truth, he protected, he trusted, he hoped, he persevered.  He was a bright and shining light of God's love in our lives.

When shopping for my first car he told me I had a champagne appetite and a beer budget.

My favorite memory of my dad was anytime I was beside him. I loved soaking up the rays of his kind, humble, gentle, patient and unconditionally loving heart! He set a true example of God's love for anyone he met.

After numerous repairs to household items and lawn tools, Dad looked at us and said, "You boys could tear up a steel ball."

After dating Marie for several months I had determined that Mr. Keen was not able to speak. I wasn't going to ask because I thought it might be an embarrassing situation. All indications pointed to him having no ability to speak other than granting noises similar to those of a gorilla. 

I went over one day to see Marie and I was met at the door by Mr. Keen. He looked at me and for the first time, to my knowledge, spoke. These were his words: "The speed limit in my driveway is 5 MPH, that's in reverse also!"

A couple of years later there was another huge breakthrough in his speaking abilities. He walked his precious daughter down the aisle at our wedding. He looked at me again just like he did a couple of years before and spoke these words, "She's yours now." 

As the years went on I continued to help him with his speaking abilities and he tried to teach me to shut up. 

Mr. Donald Keen taught so many, so much without ever saying anything. The example he set as a father, his kindness, gentleness, and patience said more than any words. A special man that will be deeply missed here on earth but accepted into wide arms by Jesus in heaven. 

Thank you for accepting me, loving me, teaching me and guiding me. I will miss you!

Ever since i was a small kid, Papaw was always there when i needed anything fixed, or if i just wanted to make something. From making wooden swords and shields in his barn in Louisiana as a child, to helping me tune my motorcycle barely a year ago. He was always the perfect handy man, and the greatest Grandfather anyone could wish for.

A journal entry from Donald Keen, Jr.
Written on 6/26/2001

SLOW DOWN-- The most important things I have to do are develop Godly relationships with everyone I meet.  Yet, all my focus is on how much I can get done in a given time frame.  Lord, help me to develop better relationships with others and with you. Cure my anxiety for what must get done.  
Matthew 6:34 Do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I had the privilege of being married to Donald for more than fifty-five years!

In loving memory of Paw Paw Keen
 
I suspect there was a long line of great people that made Paw Paw the man he was, but to me he will always be the leader, the patriarch, of the larger Keen family I was raised within.  His ever honest intentions, loyal commitment, and patient nature will live on long beyond his life or the lives of his children.  Just as he crafted countless projects over the years, he made sure the lives of his loved ones were built the right way, on solid foundations.  I don't think anyone ever mistook him for the outspoken type, he spoke up when needed, but I think it was clear he preferred to lead through his actions.  It wasn't usually in the limelight, but if you spent enough time around him you couldn't help but pick up on his willingness to make time to help others.  I can only speak to a fraction of his time here on Earth, but he sure made the most of it.  His memory will be an inspiration as long as I live.  Thank you Paw Paw.
 
All of my love, gratitude, and adoration-
DR

As most of you know my dad was a very meticulous person.  If he had a project, he would do research, make a sketch, refine it into a drawing taking into account details that most people simply overlook.  This really came to light with me as I was working a summer job in college at an industrial construction firm when an engineer approached ma asking if I knew a Don Keen.  He proceeded to tell me that he really liked working on his projects because they all went very smoothly.  He said that typical the jobs they bid on had poor scopes of work and cost overruns but never my dad's.  He said that when they see his name on the bid packages, they knew they could bid aggressively because they knew the job would be well thought out and run smoothly.  So much so that every construction firm in Baton Rouge would fight over getting his jobs.  This taught me a real life lesson that details do matter.

Donald Ray Keen Sr.
listener, disciple, and carpenter
 My grandfather, the listener
 When you approach my grandfather, he is never waiting for his turn to speak
 His reply is always sincere
 He is the only person in our family who I have never heard say the same thing twice
 I can't pin down any specific piece of advice, any clever aphorism of his that has in one moment altered my perspective of the world
 It's extremely likely that I was never listening
 No everything I learned from my paw-paw has been through heuristic observation
 He taught me to think deeply, speak softly, and act adroitly
 My grandfather, the disciple
 Discipline is the most admirable trait of my grandfather
You have all seen it
 In his home
In his work
In his faith
In his marraige
 And in his children there lay
 robustly redolent
 this very rare quality
 A simple acknowlegement
 that our families' values,
 the self-evident truths that catenate our bloodline,
 require incessant and relentlessly meticulous maintenance
 (have you seen the interior of his truck?)
 My grandfather, the carpenter
 Wood is a sacred building material
 Even after being pulled from the Earth
 It is very much alive
 It never stops growing
 never stops breathing
 You can cut it, glue it, laminate it, finish it,
 You can turn it into paper and write on it
 No matter how you shape or preserve it,
 Wood is a living material
 And more than anything else, it desires to rot,
 To replenish and invigorate the Earth from which it came
 Only the most skilled carpenter might coax his chattel to bear upon itself the hardships and longevity of a dozen generations
 I will see pawpaws great grandchildren admire his craftsmenship
 And I hope to be there when even their children sleep in the security of his loving vestige
 He has bestowed in me a profound respect of living materials
 That is the most important thing pawpaw taught me
 That in the end
 The wood always wins
 One day, all sacred things must return to the Earth
 That is what makes them precious
 That is why we love them
 That is why we hold onto them for as long as we can
 And that is why they will be remembered

Psalm 16:1 -- Keep me safe,  O God, for I take refuge in you.

One of my favorite memories of my Daddy was from when I was a little girl.  He had a big green vinyl reclining chair.  It was just the right size for me to fit in it beside him.

I never had to ask, not a word had to be spoken, I would just look up at him.  He would scoot over just a little bit and give the chair a pat on the seat.  Then he would help me climb up.  It was a perfect fit every time, me sitting right there beside him!  It was so cozy, warm and safe!  His long legs reached all the way to the floor.  My little legs and feet just barely made it to the end of the seat by his knees.  Having three big brothers you can imagine how I would need my own little place of refuge.  When I went to him, I was protected.

I know that these little moments with my Daddy in his big chair has helped me look to my Heavenly Father for a safe place of refuge.  To me he didn't have to use a lot of words.  The way he lived his entire life was a reflection of Our Heavenly Father's Love.  He was humble, gentle and patient.

I have long since outgrown my little safe place beside my Daddy in his chair, but I will never outgrow the sense of security that my father made me feel.   It will follow me all the days of my  life.  

And as the years have passed, I've seen him make this same gesture to sit beside him to all of his grandchildren and great grand-daughter.  They all know what it feels like to sit beside him and he loved it. 

Most of all,  his favorite person to sit beside was my  Mom.  I loved to watch them sit beside each other or hold hands as they walked.  A perfect fit for each other they were blessed with more than fifty-five years of marriage.   We will all miss him so much!
This Bible verse describes my Daddy perfectly:
Ephesians 4:2 -- Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.

I know without a doubt that his last wish is for us to remain beside each other and love one another.  He told me this when I was sitting beside him a few weeks ago.
Happy Father's Day! I love you and miss you!

David, Patty and children - So sorry to hear of the passing of David's father.  Our prayers and sympathy go out to all of you.  If he was anything like David - we know he was a great man!

Will miss his quite presence and smile he had for everyone.  Prayers for you.

 We remember Don for his warm smile which always greeted us when we saw him at church.  We are keeping that memory with us as we pray for you and your family, in the knowledge that smile is greeting the angels in heaven now.

I will remember my grandfather as the man who lead the Keen family by example, quietly and strongly; listened carefully and spoke wisely; stood tall and smiled brightly; and most of all, loved greatly. 

I have learned so much from you, and the love you shared for God and your family. Thank you Pawpaw.

All of my love,

Marie and family,  I am so sorry for your loss.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I remember one time when my family visited Alabama for Christmas and my brother and sister and I talked our parents into letting us buy a gingerbread house making kit.  We were attempting to glue the house together with frosting, but it kept caving in on itself.  PaPa ended up coming to help us construct the house, and sat holding it together until it was sturdy enough to decorate.  Even earlier than that, in Louisiana, I remember PaPa built a wooden bench in his workshop, and let my sister and I color all over it with crayons.  So many of my memories with PaPa are of him being willing to help us with anything we wanted to do, especially if it was a crafting project.  I remember him for his patience, craftsmanship, kind, helpful attitude.

I will miss how PaPa and I always came up with fun projects to work on together.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As a little girl, I remember Mr. Keen as a tall, quiet and kind man. Ms. Violet, my heart goes out to you and your family. I hold you close in my prayers. Much love.

I will miss you Papa.  Who is going to help me out with my pinewood derby cars and other woodworking projects!  Those are memories I will cherish forever.

I didn't know my Papaw Keen that well until they moved to Alabama, mostly because I was pretty young. The longer they lived here the more I got to know him and understand who he was as a person. Yes, he is very quiet and gentle. He is incredibly kind and patient. Everyone says that. But if you look hard enough and at just the right times, you can catch a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. Sitting around the dinner table with my grandparents we would usually end up joking about some ridiculous subject. Although he didn't typically contribute, if you looked you could catch him sneaking a smile and laugh. Because he was usually so quiet, these were my favorite times. You knew it had to be pretty hilarious to get a reaction from him.

Papaw was the kind of person who wanted to do anything he could to help you. Anything I ever needed made, he would do it without question. He loved to help out. Even the craziest requests like a giant paddle to give my little in my sorority, he figured out a way to do it and of course, executed it perfectly.  

Even though I'm probably the most "wild" of the grandchildren, he seemed to always have plenty of faith in me. After totaling my first car, he encouraged my dad to buy me something else nice and dependable. And, did the same after I totaled that one also (whoops). I'm sure my dad regrets that, but Papaw always seemed to think I'd be just fine. He even let me drive his precious, perfectly clean truck while I was between vehicles. He was so sweet and I could always tell how proud he was of all his kids and grandkids, and how much he believed in all of us. Besides, anyone who contributing to raising my mom, who is the closest person to an angel there is, had to be completely amazing. I am definitely going to miss looking over at him and seeing that kind face and that little glow in his eyes that helped me see some of myself in such a great person. 

Lastly, I hope that I can find someone that loves me as much as he loved my Mamaw. I am so blessed to have that as an example in my life. Love y'all both, always.

Our condolences from all of us at the Shelby County Camera Club.  Should you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.  We're here for you.

He was such a wonderful Christian and a fine gentleman!  We will miss him as a neighbor and in our Sunday School class!  Bill and Tootsie

Don was a fine christian man and a wonderful neighbor. He was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood and invited us to his church. We will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Kenny and Susan Rose

Don was a fine christian man and a wonderful neighbor. He was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood and invited us to his church. We will miss him. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.                                             Kenny and Susan Rose (Maylene,AL.)

Mr Keen was one of the finest men I have ever met. He was a wonderful neighbor. Our family will miss him.

Chris, Toni, Holland & Hutson Savage

OBITUARIO

Donald Ray Keen Sr.

Falleció en 16 JUNIO, 2015

Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery

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