Name: Visitation for Jesse Moses Keene Jr.
Start: 2015-09-28T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-09-29T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Hewell and Son Funeral Home

KEENE Funeral services for Jesse Moses Keene Jr., 86, will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday September 29, 2015 in the chapel of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd., South with Dr. John W. Montgomery officiating. The burial will follow in Newberry Municipal Cemetery, Newberry Florida at 3:00 PM. Born August 20, 1929 in Newberry, Florida to Jesse and Essie Keene, Mr. Keene died Thursday September 24, 2015 in Jacksonville. He was predeceased by his H.S. sweetheart of 51 years Mary Cameron Keene. He was a graduate of Robert E Lee High School class of 1949. He attended Cedar Creek Baptist Church. He was a retired owner/operator of Jesse M. Keene Electric Company. He was an active Mason and member of the Riverside Lodge F&AM, Scottish and York Rite, Morocco Temple of the Shrine, Royal Order of the Jesters, and a past Illustrious Potentate. Mr. Keene was Drum Major of the Oriental Band for 56 years, performing in parades in almost every major city. He also had the pleasure of leading the band in the annual Jacksonville Beaches Opening Parade for many years. Survivors include his daughter, Jeannie Marie Keene, of Ashville North Carolina, his son Donald George Keene & his wife Brenda Kaye Keene of Clermont, FL, two sisters Geneva Wingo of Jacksonville, FL and Madge Casey of Gulf Hammock FL, two grand daughters; Kimberly Michelle Keene and Christin Lynn Keene. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Crippled Children's Burn Center, c/o the Morocco Temple of the Shrine 3800 St Johns Bluff Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Condolences may be left at hewellfuneralhomes.com

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Published by Florida Times-Union on Sep. 27, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Jesse Keene

Sponsored by Jacksonville.com.

18 Entries

Jennifer

July 11, 2016

Just found out rest in peace Jesse

October 4, 2015

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

John King

October 2, 2015

So sorry for your loss. Jesse will be missed. Our 3 girls(grown now) & my wife enjoyed his dancing way before Chippendale/male dancing was 'cool' in each of the Shrine parades. LOL I knew him in the early days of the Shrine Club as a good man. We were in the parades as he 'wiggled his butt'(as my girls called it) I beat the drums in the Shrine Dixieland Jazz Band. Those were the good ole days. Thinking of you in our prayers.
Johnnie King & Family

Dorothy Parker Morris

September 29, 2015

Doni, I never knew that it was your Dad that we all looked forward to seeing anytime there was a parade with the Shriners. He was always the highlight of any parade. Prayers for peace for you and your family.

Cheryl Myers

September 28, 2015

We are so sorry to hear the loss of such a wonderful man... He was always so kind and funny... Jeannie, you and your family are in our thoughts & prayers... With our Deepest Sympathy Cheryl & Jim

Robert Jenkins

September 28, 2015

I am very sorry for the family's loss of a great man. Jessie hired me when I was a 18 year old snot nose punk during the building of the temple. He asked me if I new anything about electricity and I said I know that it hurts to get shocked. He laughed and said to get a shovel and cover up a ditch. He taught me many good and bad habits but I never forgot his teachings. Thanks to him, I went on to become a Power House Electrical Technician for 30 years. I will always remember his smiling face along with his wife Mickie's kindness. My prayers are with the family.

Linda Vernon

September 28, 2015

Dear Doni,Brenda, Christin & Kim,
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. From what I've heard about Mr. Keene he was an amazing man. I pray Gods arms are wrapped around each of you during this very difficult time. We love you all. Xoxo

Terry Martin

September 28, 2015

Our deepest sympathy to the Keene family and to his sister, Geneva Wingo.

Cindy VanZant

September 28, 2015

I am heartbroken. A sweetheart of a man who will be deeply missed! I know you will be with us in spirit April 24th, I will smile however as your place to strut your stuff comes down 1st street, It wont be the same but I will have my memories that will remind me of what a wonderful man you were! I will miss my yearly hugs and kisses! You will be missed awful!

Michael &Diane Kastick

September 28, 2015

Our deepest sympathy. You will not be forgotten.

Glenn & Cindy Shifflett

September 27, 2015

Our prayers and thoughts are with the Keene fa!mi!ly at this time of loss. May you feel the presence of God's loving arms around you.

September 27, 2015

I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Keene Family. During such a hard time may the God of comfort be with you. Hosea 13:14

Lorie Lavender

September 27, 2015

This breaks my heart. I was around him at every parade since I was a little girl as my dad was a Shriner with West Jax Shrine Club. He was the highlight of the parade for me even in the last years when I saw him. I had an autographed picture of him from when I was younger and DANCED in the street with him about 12 years ago. I'm so sorry for your loss. I will miss seeing him. No reason for me to go to the parade anymore. Hugs and prayers to Jesse's family!! RIP sweet Jesse. You brought joy to so many!!

Jewel Ferrell Arnold

September 27, 2015

My Prayers to all the family. I will miss Jesse so much at our Lee luncheon and the Shrine Sweethearts. He was the excitement of our Shrine parades and such a wonderful sweet person. Sad day for all who knew him and will miss him. Rest in Peace my Dear Friend.

Margie Satterfield

September 27, 2015

I did not know Mr. Keene personally but I wanted to share how much joy he brought in the parade every year. My grandparents always took us and it was a real joy to be able to take my own children. The excitement of him coming down the parade route was amazing! I hope it brings you comfort to know how happy he made me and so many people for so many years. I'm so sorry for your loss.

September 27, 2015

My sincere condolences to the family. We have lost a wonderful man. I remember being a little kid at all the parades my family went to and Jesse being there dancing in the parades. Several years later my husband became a mason and a shriner and there is Jesse still dancing in the parades. It was really special to meet him and become part of the philanthropy that he belonged to. It was like completing a circle. Jesse was a legend in his time with Morocco and the parades will never be the same. We have lost a great family member of Morocco and he will be missed.
Joe and Misty Nordeng and Joe Jr.

Patricia Davis

September 27, 2015

I new Jesse through my Dad, (Bill Seldon), a former Shriner. Used to enjoy watching him in all the parades, he really enjoyed himself & loved entertaining others. I am very sorry for your loss & thoughts are with all the Keene family & friends.
Pat (Seldon) Davis

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