Michael Ted Keeter

Michael Ted Keeter passed away peacefully to be with his heavenly Father, surrounded by his family. Michael was born September 2, 1942, in Shawnee, OK to Ted and Evelyn Keeter. Mike grew up in Garland, TX but he loved to spend the summers staying with his grandparents Parley and Esther Barrick in St. Louis, OK. He loved to ride horses, hunt and fish with his Grandpa. He loved his Grandma’s homemade cooking especially her pies. Michael spent his junior year at St. Louis High school where he excelled in baseball and was on the Varsity baseball team. He graduated from Garland High School in 1961. He joined the US Army and served in Germany until June 1964 when he was honorably discharged. In 1966 he enrolled at East Central College, Ada, OK. A friend invited him to attend the East Central "Bible Chair", a church group for college students attending college. He studied the Bible with Wallace McRay, the Bible Chair director, and was baptized October 16, 1967. In March 1968, he met the love of his life Sharron Birdwell at the Bible chair. Michael was a member of the East Central Varsity Golf team helping his team win numerous matches. In May 1970 he graduated from East Central and in November 1970 he began working as a social worker for DHS in Shawnee.

In March 1971 he married his sweetheart Sharron Birdwell and they lived in Shawnee until 1973. They then moved to Midwest City to be closer to his job at the Dept of Rehab Services in OKC and Sharron’s job at Tinker AFB. Michael was actively involved in his family’s lives; teaching his son Jeff to swing a golf club at age 3, helping coach soccer and baseball, teaching his daughter Jennifer how to swing a golf club, attending his children’s and grandchildren’s gymnastics meets, baseball and soccer games and going on many fun family vacations. Michael and his son Jeff played in golf tournaments together for many years sponsored by the Choctaw Golf Association and he won numerous trophies including a “Hole in One” award.

Michael retired from the State of Oklahoma in September 1999 after 28 years of faithful government service. After his retirement, he and Sharron traveled all over the US from New York to California, Florida to Alaska and Hawaii and visited many foreign countries including: Australia, Bahamas, Canada, England, Mexico and France. Until his health started failing in 2012 you could find Michael out on the golf course at least 2-3 times/week playing with his golf buddies: Duane Swanson, Dale Jones, Bob Steele, James Davis and Ron Eager. He loved learning about World War II history, watching Johnny Carson and old classic movies like John Wayne on Turner Classic Movies. Michael loved all kinds of animals; parakeets, parrots and especially his beloved dogs, Muffin and Grady who he took care of for almost 18 years.

Michael has been a faithful member of the Eastside Church of Christ since 1973. Michael was a humble man of few words who did not do things to impress others such as not driving the latest model of car, not wearing name brand clothes and not living in a fancy house. He sacrificed for his family to save money so that his wife could fulfill her dream of being a stay at home Mom. He deeply loved his family and showed his affection by cooking pancakes for his family for over 40 years while listening to Elvis or classic country music such as “Your Cheating Heart” by Hank Williams, Sr. He never missed filling up his wife Sharrons’s car with gas and drove many miles out of his way to drop his wife off to and from work for years. His family could not have asked for a better husband, Dad, or Grandpa. He was deeply loved and will be missed immensely by his family and we are looking forward to being reunited with him in heaven again. Michael was preceeded in death by his parents and his grandparents, and sister Barbara Trapanick. He is survived by his loving wife Sharron who stood be his side for 46 years; a half brother Jay Keeter, Hawaii, children: Jeffrey Keeter, Dallas, TX; Jennifer Anaya, Edmond, OK and grandchildren Ethan and Avery Anaya. Michael also survived by niece Jodi Hayes and nephew Scott Reed of New Hampshire and numerous great nieces and nephews. A "celebration of his life" will be held on January 10, 2014 at 10 am at Eastside Church of Christ; 916 Douglas Blvd, Midwest City, Oklahoma. Visitation with the family will be held Thursday evening January 9, 2014 at Bill Eisenhower Funeral Home SE, Del City. The Keeter family deeply appreciates the many prayers and kind words of encouragement from a host of family and friends. The family is also very grateful for all of Michael’s caregivers and staff from Timberwood Assisted Living, OKC and Crossroad’s Hospice.

A celebration of Michael's life will be held10:00 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2013 at Eastside Church of Christ in Midwest City with inurnment to follow at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma. Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Del City, Oklahoma.