Kenney Elvoy Keener

Ken Keener was born on December 2, 1947 in Sulphur Springs, Texas to Marie Eileen Coppedge Keener and Elvoy Clyston (E. C.) Keener. Ken fought cancer for several years, but as hard as he tried, he just couldn’t beat his cancer this time.

He graduated from Sam Houston High School in Arlington in 1966 and received a degree in Sociology from The University of Texas at Arlington in 1975. He was employed for many years as a project manager for mechanical contracting companies and retired from Decker Mechanical in 2016.

Just before he was to graduate from UTA in 1970, Ken left school and signed up to serve in the United States Marine Corps for four years, He was asked to attend officer training school upon his completion of initial service, but declined, returning to UTA to graduate, making all A’s!

Ken was full of joy and laughter, always teasing his friends. They learned to tease him right back. He loved motorcycles and owned many in his lifetime including s sidecar and a three-wheeler. And his love of animals, especially cats, is legendary.

God gifted Ken with a beautiful bass voice which he used to sing in many choirs. He was a member of First Christian Church in downtown Fort Worth and performed in many of the Choir Director Charles Duke’s church “Broadway” shows and sang important roles in many cantatas.

Ken was a man of strong faith and very much enjoyed his years as an adult and children’s leader in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). He combined the love of Bible Study and music one year while on vacation in Paris, France. When attending a study group in the Paris BSF class as a visitor, he sang one of his songs from a past cantata to the members. They wanted him to stay in Paris – it was quite an event!

Other travels with good friends who were also choir members involved mini concerts in Sicily, Prague, Dublin, Hawaii and New York City.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Clyston and Billy Jack and his niece, Christy Black. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kristy Libotte Keener; sisters-in-law Susie Libotte, Bonnie Keener and Maxine Langley; nephew Darren Keener and wife, Beverly; nieces Carla Lemonds and husband, Mike; Tamara Galvan and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

There will be an Honor Cremation Service held at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 North Davis Drive, Arlington, Texas 76012 – date to be announced.