Grant Winfield Keeton went to be with the Lord on January 16, 2022. He was born on April 23, 1926, in Bethany, Oklahoma, to Chester and Thelma Emerson Keeton. Growing up, he attended all 12 years in the Bethany Public Schools. After graduating from high school in 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and entered service on June 6th of that year, which was "D-Day." Grant was in the Navy for 2 years and served on a troop ship, the USS Harris, as a Radio Man for 17 months. After returning home, he attended Bethany Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University), where he met and dated Evelyn Hudgens. They were married on August 24, 1947. Shortly after their marriage, Grant started his career with the US Postal Service. He worked as a mail carrier, then a clerk, and in1962 was appointed Postmaster of the Bethany Post Office. Grant retired from that position in November, 1982. It was during these years that Grant was instrumental in the effort for Bethany to keep its identity with its own zip code. A mural depicting the Pony Express with Grants portrait, along with other postal workers, can be seen on the building adjacent to the post office. Grants activities of volunteer service for his community and church, Bethany First Nazarene, were numerous. He was President of the Bethany Chamber of Commerce for two separate terms, being named Most Useful Citizen in 1979. He was a member of Kiwanis for many years and Chairman of the "Meals on Wheels," (later named the "Grant Keeton Hot Meals Program"). He was given the Outstanding Service Award in 1989-90 for that service. In 1991-92, he was given the Presidents Appreciation Award for Outstanding Service. He previously served as Treasurer of the Bethany Historical Society, and he helped in the fundraising efforts to start the first YMCA in Bethany as well as to build the first football stadium and football program for Bethany High School. Those efforts contributed to him being inducted into the Bethany Public Schools Hall of Honor in 2018. He also volunteered for several years at the food pantry for ROC. For his church service, he taught Sunday school to high school students for several years. He was a leader of Caravan Boys and he volunteered in various church youth camps. He served as a board member for 18 years and was a NIROGA staff member. Additional volunteer services for his church are too numerous to mention. Above all, Grant was a faithful follower of his Lord Jesus Christ, whom he followed with a life of servanthood to his fellow mankind. Grant was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Evelyn; parents, Chester and Thelma Keeton; and a sister, Geraldine Weigman. He is survived by a daughter, Vickie Stearman and husband Steve of Oklahoma City; a son, Steve and wife Sharon of Rogue River, Oregon; grandchildren, Dustin Stearman and wife Laura of Bethany, Sharilyn Starling and husband Greg of Oklahoma City, Josh Keeton of Rogue River, Oregon, Tawni Keeton Bocachica and husband Juan, of Anaheim, California; great-grandchildren, Jake and Samantha Stearman, Ben Starling, Joseph and Carley Keeton, and Brayden Bocachica. Grants Celebration of Life will be Friday, January 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethany First Nazarene. Family visitation will be Thursday, January 27 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Mercer-Adams. The service will be live-streamed at https://bethanynaz.org. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established at Southern Nazarene University, "The Evelyn Keeton Memorial Scholarship" (snu.edu/give) or by mail: SNU/Office of University Relations, 6729 N.W. 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008 "Dont just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12: 9-10 To view the service, click here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8x0sf8frw77t88w/AAC5039EDJufjgZsmU2g1fQFadl=0&preview=Grant+Keeton+-+Memorial+Service.mp4 . Visitation with Family Present Mercer-Adams Funeral Service Thursday, January 27, 2022 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 3925 North Asbury Avenue Bethany, Oklahoma 73008 Viewing is Thursday, 9am-8pm with family present from 6-8pm Funeral Service Bethany First Church of the Nazarene Friday, January 28, 2022 2:00 PM 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, Oklahoma 73008