Robert "Bob" Joshua Keen Jr.

Robert “Bob” Joshua Keen, Jr., 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Iredell Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born on December 1, 1936 to the late Robert Joshua Keen, Sr. and Hazel Wimmer Keen Andrews in Garden Creek, VA . After High school moved to Flint Michigan and worked on the Chevrolet Assembly line. Bob was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Alaska. After getting out of Army moved to Hudson and worked for Rooster Bush. In 1971, he started Bob Keen's Auto Body Repair where he spent the remainder of his career. Starting with 2 bays, Bob built the business into one of the largest Independent auto body repair facilities in NC. He was named in the Global directory of Who's Who for demonstrating leadership and achievement in the area of auto body repair. He successfully completed multiple certificates for Mercedes Benz and BMW. Bob was I-CAR certified, and a member of the Independent Auto Body Association. His biography recognizes the years of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment for his chosen profession. Bob was a founding member of the Towing and Recovery Professionals of North Carolina. Bob was a member of Hibriten Masonic Lodge #262, 3rd degree, A.F. & A.M., and was also a Shriner in Foothills Shrine Club. Bob was also active in the local government. Bob was on the Town Counsel for 14 years. He loved Hudson and proudly served as Mayor Pro Tem with the late Pete Nichols. Bob, and the other council men, were instrumental in getting water and sewer to Hudson. During this time, they also accomplished obtaining benefits for the police officers. Bob was also a donor to the building of the Hudson Recreation and was also a proud member of the Hudson Optimist Club. Bob enjoyed golfing, fishing, working in his yard, and spending time with his grandchildren which were the "love of his life". He loved the community that he raised his children in. Bob enjoyed working on cars, and appreciated the friendships that it brought. He always wanted to make sure everyone's car was better when it left than what it was when it came in. Treating people fair, no matter what they were driving, was his favorite motto. If anyone knew him, they would agree that he was the hardest working man in town. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Raymond Keen and Ralph Andrews; and step father, Hardy Andrews. Survivors include his wife Cora Holder Keen of the home; daughter, Kelly Keen Brackett and husband Chris of Hudson; son, Robert Keith Keen and wife Melanie of Hudson; grandchildren, Hannah Brackett, Madison Keen, Joshua Brackett, K.J Keen all of Hudson; sisters, Lou McRary of Granite Falls, Ruth Hodges of Lenoir, Billie Sue Waisner of Asheboro, Martha Nickles of Franklinville; brothers, Louis Keen and wife Edith of Archdale, James Keen of Melbourne Beach, FL, Dale Andrews and wife Cookie of Hudson, David Keen of Franklin; sisters-in-law, Pat Keen of Lenoir, Reba Andrews of Hudson, Ruth Holder Winslow and husband Virgil, and Rhea Holder Swift and husband Ronald. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 5, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Hudson. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Hudson. Rev. Mack Jarvis will be officiating the service. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the family cemetery in Blowing Rock on the Parkway. Bob’s employees will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hibriten Masonic Lodge #262, 602 Wilkesboro Blvd. SE, Lenoir, NC 28645. Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605. Hudson Fire Department, 122 Mt. Herman Rd., Hudson, NC 28638.