Eugene Franklin "Gene" Keener

1934 - 2023

Eugene Gene Franklin Keener passed away peacefully at his home in Largo, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2023, at the age of 88, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was born in Clayton, Ga., Jan. 10, 1934. He graduated from Tallulah Falls High School, Lee College in Cleveland, Tenn., attended Georgia Tech prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army, and graduated from St. Benedicts College in Atchison, Kan.
Genes 25-year U.S. Army career began in 1954 when he graduated from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Sill, Okla. He served in Korea for 16 months from 1956 -1957 and commanded a military intelligence regiment in Vietnam during a one-year tour in 1969. He graduated from the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in 1975. He served in military intelligence, retiring as a Colonel, with his last assignments serving with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill AFB, and his final tour of duty with the Army Security Agency at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
While serving his country, Gene and family moved extensively across the United States as well as internationally, including assignments at Herzo Base, Germany and Bangkok, Thailand. He was a proud Army veteran and supported veterans programs.
After his retirement, Gene enjoyed traveling with his wife, visiting 49 states, missing only Rhode Island. He fulfilled his dream of owning a cabin on his family's Georgia property to which he enjoyed years of visits with his beloved Nancy. They liked traveling out west on fly-fishing trips and took numerous cruises to Alaska. Gene also treasured his love of golf with his Dirty Dozen golf group, making two holes-in-one! Once his grandchildren came along, Gene was lovingly known as PopPop, and his wife Nancy became Mimi.
Gene is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Nancy (nee Parkinson), and three children, Pamela (William) Wilson, Cynthia Keener and Michael (Lynne) Keener. His four grandchildren Marcus, Christopher, Madison and Chase were a source of pride and joy, along with his six great-grandchildren. Gene is survived by his sister, Elena (Thomas) Shirley; and predeceased by his parents, Horace Milton Keener & Lura Gertrude (Kilby) Keener; and his brother, George Boyce Keener.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses and aides at Elison at Pinecrest, and the staff at Suncoast Hospice for their loving care of Gene.
A Celebration of Life will be planned in the near future.
The Clayton Tribune
January 12, 2023