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BORN
1934
DIED
2024
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John Keaton Obituary
He was born September 12, 1934 at his home in Symonds Creek N.C. about ten miles south of Elizabeth City. He was privileged to grow up living between both sets of grandparents and near many dear relatives. He met Lillian Yvonne Smithson on a blind date and married in the same year on December 28, 1956. They were married for almost 68 years at the time of his passing.
Predeceased by John Henry Keaton (father), Alma Mae Overman Keaton (mother), Miriam Elaine Simmons (sister) and Michael Arnold Keaton (adopted brother). Survived by his wife Lillian Smithson Keaton, son, Terence (Terry) Austin Keaton (Ann), daughter, Brenda Keaton Epps (James), both of Wake Forest, NC, son, John David Keaton (Adie) of Adelaide, AU and daughter, Paula Yvonne Aker (Don) of Holly Springs, NC, 13 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with number 20 on the way and his (brother), Ralph (Bud) Michael Keaton. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews that were dear to him.
He grew up on a family farm and attended Weeksville Elementary and High School where he developed lifelong friendships. He graduated with a BS in Soil Science in 1958 and MS in Weed Science in 1965 from NCSU and remained a faithful wolfpack fan for the rest of his life. John went to work with Coker Seed Company in Hartsville, S.C. and then 2 years later started working at NC State while earning his Master's degree at the same time. After he earned that degree, he began working for Eli Lilly and would later work for and retire from DowElanco.
During his career, he moved from Raleigh NC to McAllen TX to Carmel, IN to Lilburn, GA and back to Carmel, IN until 1993 when he retired and moved back to the place both he and Lillian were born and raised, Elizabeth City, NC where they lived for the next 25 years until his last move seven years ago to Wake Forest, NC to be closer to children and family.
John's greatest love outside of reading, family genealogy and agriculture was sports. He knew the dates and times of all upcoming NC State and Atlanta Braves games each season. We were able to enjoy watching NC State basketball go to the Final Four together this past season.
John was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He enjoyed several different areas of church service over the years serving as a Stake Patriarch the last 30, giving more than 1500 blessings to those desiring one. He lived what he believed, never wavering. We are proud to have called him husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
There will be a funeral service held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (1524 Jenkins Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587) on Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
John will be laid to rest in Elizabeth City, NC. A funeral service will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (600 W Ehringhaus St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909), on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in New Hollywood Cemetery, (Roanoke Ave, Elizabeth City, NC 27909).
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Memories and Condolences
for John Keaton
Sponsored by Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
5 Entries
Wilbur Turner
December 30, 2024
December 30, 2024
Dear Lillian,
In loving memory of my dear 1956 college room-mate; even though our career paths took us in different directions I always considered Austin among my best of friends.
May God bless you, and your family.
Love,
Wilbur Turner
Bill Tolbert
September 30, 2024
Tears In My Eyes
Sitting here with tears in my eyes. Me and God are both crying. Me from sadness as I got word this morning that Dr. John Keaton phD. passed away on 22Sep24 at the tinder age of 90. God is weeping tears of joy as he has received another angel into his eternal kingdom. I shared the following story with my Elanco (Eli Lilly ) friend Tom Gee in Seward , Ne. and he urged me to write it up. Here it is.
On my first day of college I met with Dr. John Woodruff my agronomy freshman advisor at Clemson University. As I was leaving his office, I said, " I am going to need a summer job. Can you recommend one?" Dr. Woodruff turned to his bulletin board and removed the only card he had of Dr. John Keaton - Research Scientist - Eli Lilly and Company - Elanco Division. He gave me that only card saying, "Elanco has the best summer intern jobs in the country, and this is the guy to call, but you have to be a rising Senior to apply."
I carried that card in my wallet for four years. It was four years because I dropped out of college for a year to do active duty in 1969 when I joined the Army National Guard. I wrote Dr. Keaton a letter asking for an interview with him in the Spring of 1973. He wrote back saying that he would meet with me, but that he was really interviewing for students wanting to go into research not sales. I took him up on the offer to meet anyway.
In later years he told me that as he was leaving his office to drive to Clemson for a day of interviewing, Bill Griffith , the Atlanta District sales manager, said to him, "John , see if you can find me a good summer intern for our "Speed-Check Program."
I polished up my resume´, wore my only sport coat and my best clip on tie, and spent 30 minutes talking to John at Clemson. I later learned from Bill Griffith that John returned to Atlanta and tossed my resume on his desk saying "Hire this one." Mine was the only resume John supplied. I was the only candidate he interviewed who wanted sales. "Grif" picked up the phone and offered me the job. I accepted. It was the best intern job in the country. The rest of my life was set by John Keaton saying "Hire this one." It set my career. It set me on a path to meet and marry my Susan, to have Alex, Brian, and Beth; and to now enjoy eight beautiful grandchildren.
A kinder , more, honest, gentler, more sincere man than John Keaton...I have never known. He Blessed all who knew him, but especially me. This lump in my throat will subside. I will rejoice in his passing as I pray to God , "Hire this one Dear Lord. Hire this one."
John Keaton 1934 - 2024
Alabama - Angels Among Us (Official Video)
https://youtu.be/y_4Xfj2LRSA?si=oVNih8eqlWX
My reflections are shared as a celebration of Christ in my life.
Through prayer, we talk to God. Through the Bible, God talks to us.
Read Books for knowledge. Read the Bible for wisdom.
May his memory be a Blessing to all as it is to me.
Jerry Walker
September 25, 2024
Dearest Lillian,
So very sorry to hear about John. Although we had somewhat lost touch over the past 25+ years I never forgot him as the absolutely great person he was. Good friend, good Lilly-Elanco employee and just a great guy. No one ever had a bad thing to say about John. And he was the reason for that. I know you will miss him.
Don Addison
September 24, 2024
I first met John in 1975 when I assumed responsibility for the NC, SC and VA research territory when John was asked to take on new responsibilities with Lilly Research. John made the transition easy for me as he had compiled a great group of farmer cooperators who held him in high regards.
John was a dedicated scientist and a man of unquestioned integrity and I am
blessed to have called him a friend over these past 49 years.
Don Addison
Waco, TX
Bob Warren
September 24, 2024
Back in the late 1960's,
I had the pleasure and honor to work for/with John in the field, as a
research technician for
Eli Lilly/Elanco.
John had various
on-farm experiments,
test plots in crops such
as cotton and soybeans.
We would travel together, in the Carolinas to monitor
and follow up on plots.
He was very detailed
and skilled at conducting and evaluating trials.
And, he was enjoyable
to travel with and work
together.
My condolences and
prayers for his family
and friends.
God love and bless.
Bob Warren
West Palm Beach, Florida
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