Kenneth "Gene" Keeney - 1938-2018

Gene was born at home in 1938. His parents, Paralee and Wesley Keeney, lived in a wooded valley in Eastern Oklahoma and would eventually travel the roads toward the West Coast – his father working in timber mills. Eventually the family lived on a houseboat in the Bay of San Francisco where his father worked the shipyards, and Gene would fish from the docks and play along the shore. The family eventually made their way back to Oklahoma where Gene graduated from Heavener High School and received a college basketball scholarship. As times were tough, he instead enlisted in the US Army - receiving a post in Washington State. This was a great adventure for him as he explored the giant Redwood forest and attempted snow skiing. Once his posting was over Gene returned again to be with his family - this time in Mena, Arkansas. It was at a bowling alley there that he met a pretty high school majorette, Ms. Jacquie Allen. Jacquie and Gene were married, much to the opposition of her daddy, but 57 years later you could say it all worked out well. They had three children Sandy, Mark, and Michael (deceased). Sandy is married to Larry Noles and they have two children: Nicholas Noles and Jill Noles Bennett.

Family was Gene's life, along with the men that worked for him – his second family. He and Jacquie operated first a logging business and then a trucking company for over 45 years. Gene believed in work and hard work; in the long run it benefited Gene and Jacquie, their children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren.

The Keeney family would like to invite those of you who knew Gene to a visitation on Saturday (March 24) from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Gene's second home, Keeney Trucking, 306 East 39th Street, between Russellville and Dardanelle.

The family asks that donations be made to the Russellville Animal Shelter @ 3115 S Mobile Ave, Russellville, AR 72802.

Arrangements By Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle. Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com