Thomas L. Keener

September 28, 2020 at 10:22 p.m.

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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Thomas L. Keener, 85, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, surrounded by his family.

He was born Sept. 25, 1935, in Pierceton, Ind. He graduated high school in Pierceton, where he met his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and later married.

Tom went to work for United Utilities (later Sprint) right out of high school and worked from the bottom to the top in his career. He worked his entire career of 41 years for the same company and loved every minute of it. He was a business man through and through.

Tom was a longtime member and supporter of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, The Elks Lodge, Boys Scouts and served on the city council in Clinton, Mo. Tom was an avid golfer and loved to watch football and ice hockey. He was also a big lover of auto racing and held over 100 trophies for car allies and slalom racing in a 1968 Shelby GT Mustang that he raced for over 10 years with his wife Sharon. Tom and Sharon retired to warm, sunny Florida, where they enjoyed many years of golf, cards and other activities with a host of special friends.

Tom was preceded in death by parents, Merlen (Velurah) Keener and Inez (Ray) Leedy; his forever sweetheart of 61 years, Sharon; halfsister, Susie Mellott; and his grandson, Patrick Keener.

Survivors include two daughters: Vicki (Howard) Nelson, of Benton, Ariz.; and Laura Keener, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; grandchildren: Christy (Mark) Renfroe, of Lena, Miss.; Jennifer Nelson, of Benton, Ariz.; and Tommy (Liz) Keener, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; great-grandchildren: Nikolas Keener, Jack and Evan Renfroe, and Emily and Chloe Keener; sister, Sandy (Harvey) Monk, of Ozark, Ala.; and brother, Denny Keener, of Dothan, Ala.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also left to miss him is his dog Maggie; bonus “grandson,” Derek Perkins; and family friend, Becky.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

*****

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1300 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103; or at his great-grandson’s fundraising page online at www.donate.lovetotherescue.org/fundraiser/1265246.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Thomas L. Keener, 85, of Punta Gorda, Fla., passed away Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, surrounded by his family.

He was born Sept. 25, 1935, in Pierceton, Ind. He graduated high school in Pierceton, where he met his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and later married.

Tom went to work for United Utilities (later Sprint) right out of high school and worked from the bottom to the top in his career. He worked his entire career of 41 years for the same company and loved every minute of it. He was a business man through and through.

Tom was a longtime member and supporter of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, The Elks Lodge, Boys Scouts and served on the city council in Clinton, Mo. Tom was an avid golfer and loved to watch football and ice hockey. He was also a big lover of auto racing and held over 100 trophies for car allies and slalom racing in a 1968 Shelby GT Mustang that he raced for over 10 years with his wife Sharon. Tom and Sharon retired to warm, sunny Florida, where they enjoyed many years of golf, cards and other activities with a host of special friends.

Tom was preceded in death by parents, Merlen (Velurah) Keener and Inez (Ray) Leedy; his forever sweetheart of 61 years, Sharon; halfsister, Susie Mellott; and his grandson, Patrick Keener.

Survivors include two daughters: Vicki (Howard) Nelson, of Benton, Ariz.; and Laura Keener, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; grandchildren: Christy (Mark) Renfroe, of Lena, Miss.; Jennifer Nelson, of Benton, Ariz.; and Tommy (Liz) Keener, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; great-grandchildren: Nikolas Keener, Jack and Evan Renfroe, and Emily and Chloe Keener; sister, Sandy (Harvey) Monk, of Ozark, Ala.; and brother, Denny Keener, of Dothan, Ala.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also left to miss him is his dog Maggie; bonus “grandson,” Derek Perkins; and family friend, Becky.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date.

*****

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 1300 Samford Ave., Shreveport, LA 71103; or at his great-grandson’s fundraising page online at www.donate.lovetotherescue.org/fundraiser/1265246.
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