Dr. John G. Keeney II of Eldon, MO, 70, died August 7, 2017, at University Hospital in Columbia, MO, with his family at his side.  He is survived by his wife Paula Keeney, daughters Brianne Keeney (Joe Allen) and Chelsea Keeney, brother Steve Keeney (Terri), one grandson, and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Colonel John G. Keeney I and Louise E. Keeney, sister Karen Heitz, and niece Meredith Heitz.

Dr. Keeney was born on April 9, 1947, in Utica, New York.  He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he proudly served as a war correspondent in the United States Army from 1971-1973. Dr. Keeney earned a B.A. and M.A. in English from Southeast Missouri State University and a PhD in Educational Leadership from Ole Miss.  Early in his career he was a teacher and principal in several public schools in southern Missouri, and it was also his honor to help launch the Southwest Baptist University Campus in Mountain View, MO. He later went on to establish the Columbia College Lake Campus in Lake Ozark, MO, where he served as both Director and a professor from 1990 until his retirement in 2015. Dr. Keeney had a lifelong passion for and commitment to his students, and it was his great pleasure to touch the lives of thousands of young people working in both K-12 and higher education settings over his 42 year career in education.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 12, 2017, from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Phillips Funeral Home, 5 South Oak Street, Eldon, MO, 65026 with Funeral Service beginning at 1:00 PM with Rev. Vernon Arthur officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Spring Garden Cemetery in Eugene, MO. 

Contributions can be made to the Columbia College Dr. Keeney Scholarship Fund, c/o Office of Development , 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia MO 65216.

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