John Paul Keith

John Paul Keith, age 87, of Houston, Texas passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024. He was born on July 18, 1936 in Leesville, Texas to Edward "Crystle" Keith and Johnnie Estelle Duff. He lived in Houston his entire life. He attended Eastwood Elementary, Deady Middle School and graduated from Milby High School. He went on to attend the University of Houston. He married Phyllis Jean McMillen on October 17, 1970; and had two wonderful children. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Phyllis Jean Keith/(McMillen); Daughter Kimberly Kelly and husband Peter Laird; Son John Paul II and wife Ashley; grandchildren: Kassidy Jean Laird, Kara Marie Keith, Austin Cooper Keith and Frankie Jean Keith.

Paul grew up in the "East End" of Houston and was a 6th generation Texan with his ancestors fighting for Texas Independence.

Paul started life from humble beginnings growing up in the East End, and would find a passion for acting attending Milby High School. His drama teacher Richard Neimi made a huge impact on his life and set a fire in his heart for performing. Paul was half of a comedy team with Al Eiseman, aka Cadet Don later on local Houston television. Paul and Al met on the 1952 Milby Kaleidoscope when Paul made an appearance doing a Jerry Lewis routine. They went on to headline the Kaleidoscope in 1955 and 1956, along with other huge Houston talents The Mascots, featuring Larry Hovis, who later starred in Hogans Heroes. Paul was in awe of all the talent that came out of Houston at that time and he knew many of them personally. Kenny Rogers, Patsy Swayze, Paul Berlin, Larry Blyden, Tommy Tune, just to name a few, but there were countless others. Paul also starred in what was known as the St. Thomas Baseball Variety show for two years, and performed numerous shows at U of H, Baylor and Sam Houston State. He also appeared in numerous professional theatre productions, telethons and commercials in Houston as well as performed with many of the top bands at the time such as: Ed Gerlach, Buddy Brock and Denny Beckner. Paul's most recognizable performance was that of the Astrodome's mascot, "The Earthman". If you ever attended and Astros game at the dome you probably saw Paul up on the big jumbo screen doing his 7th inning stretch "rake dance" while the regular "earthmen" did the mid-game infield cleanup. Also, if anyone remembers the big set of clapping hands on the the jumbo screen trying to get the Astros fans excited, those were Paul's hands. He filmed numerous routines for the big jumbo screen at the Astrodome and was pleasantly surprised to see someone had posted footage of them on Youtube, so he could see himself once again entertaining Houston.

Paul ended up becoming a draftsman for CE Lummus during the 1960's and by the 1970's had developed a talent for recruiting and was tapped by major E&C companies to fill their employment needs since he was widely known and loved in the oil and gas community. In 1976 he started Paul Keith & Associates and developed a friendship with Michael Halbouty, this led to Paul Keith & Associates residing at the Halbouty building located across from the Galleria at 5100 Westheimer, 5th floor. This was the Golden Age of Houston, oil was booming and he enjoyed many years of great success eventually starting Paul Keith Productions, which was focused on promoting Houston to the world.

In 1986 he decided to leave recruiting behind and try something different. This led to an almost 30 year career with Service Corporation International. It was the role of a lifetime. He drove countless celebrities, local Houston politicians, and everyday folks around Houston. Getting to share the city of Houston and his life with everyone and then getting them to share their connection with Houston and their lives with him. HE LOVED IT! He really took pride in driving families in their time of need, he loved being able to be there for them and always went out of his way to make sure they knew they could count on him during a difficult time. He always had an uplifting spirit and a wonderful sense of humor and a natural gift for communicating with people.

Paul Keith's business that he started back in the 1970's had a slogan, and he would put this slogan on all his business cards and at the bottom of his ads in the Sunday Houston Chronicle and in all his radio and tv ads, and the slogan goes like this:

"Paul Keith & Associates where People are Important". Well that was Paul. He believed people are important, everyone. He loved people and we loved him.

A visitation for John Paul will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77079. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 1:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77079.