Jerry Ray Keil was born on August 18, 1948, in Clinton, OK, to Herbert Elwin and Hazel (Bradford) Keil. He passed away on Sunday, November 26, at his home. He was baptized on July 31, 1949, with his cousin, Don Keil, at Trinity Lutheran Church and remained a faithful follower of Jesus Christ his whole life.

As a young child, Jerry developed polio, but never suffered any ill effects from it. He always attributed this to God and the answered daily prayers of his grandmother, Jewell Bradford.

Jerry attended elementary school at Bessie, Lone Wolf, and Clinton and graduated from Clinton high school in 1966. He served in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Hood, TX and in Germany during the Vietnam War.

In 1980, Jerry married Debbie Tucker.

He always liked working with his hands and opened Jerry’s Appliance Service.

He later became the Mr. Appliance man for western Oklahoma and worked as a repairman for Kluver’s.

Jerry will be greatly missed by his family and friends for his quiet nature and gentle spirit. Always positive, Jerry was admired by many for his good attitude no matter what the circumstances. He always ended every conversation with, “Have a great day.”

His way of living life was based on what he gleaned from reading the Bible. His favorite prophet was Jeremiah and he believed in the hope of things to come. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 Jerry was preceded in death by his grandparents, Phillip and Beth Keil and Jewell Bradford, his parents, Elwin and Hazel Keil, his wife of 41 years, Debbie, and his brother, Kenneth Keil.

Surviving him are his children: Robert Keil and wife Sharon, Shawnee, OK, Stephenie Jones and husband Jeremy, Rocky, OK, J R Keil, Overland Park, KS, sister, Phyllis Hobbs of Clinton, OK, and sister-in-law, Mary Keil of Cordell, OK.

Surviving grandchildren are Kensie Watson, Jaxson Schultz and Lilith Jones, Rocky, OK, Elizabeth Mc-Carty and husband Bronson of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Sarah (Matea) Ricks of Oklahoma City, Payton Wagner and Hailey Jones, of Harbour Heights, FL, great grandchildren, Erza and Levyy McCarty, Hot Springs, AR.

He is also survived by three nieces Kenda Lichtenwalter, Rochester, MN, Kim Gill and husband James, Clinton, OK, Kris Collins and husband Terry, Butler, OK and one nephew, Phil and wife Julianne, Cordell OK.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Bessie.