(August 24, 1941 – August 25, 2015)
Joseph Ray Keener, age 74, passed away on August 25, 2015. He was born on August 24, 1941 in Grant, Oklahoma.
Joe was the eighth child of a family of nine children. Joe was a graduate of Ceres Union High School in Ceres, California, where he played football and baseball.
He held membership in Block C and FFA. After high school, he was employed for 46 years by Pacific Gas & Electric. He also held memberships with Tuolumne County Sportsmen and Oakdale Sportsmen, in California, and with Noxon Rod and Gun Club in Noxon, Montana.
Joe’s great love of sports made him a good fisherman, bird and deer hunter and fast-pitch softball player. He played several years of fast-pitch softball in the Modesto and Stockton, California, Industrial Leagues and five or more years of open league/semi-pro softball in the central valley of California.
He is survived by his present wife of 28 years, Connie Jean Moore Keener; two daughters, Raelynn Grimm and Denise Lane; one brother, Jerry L. Keener; two sisters, Eva Reynolds and Lyndia Wilson-Saylor; four sisters-in-law, Jennie Keener (Alva), Dell Davidson (Cleo), Jacquetta Keener (Ivan) and Diana Keener (Jerry); one brother-in-law, Charles Saylor; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Olis J and Willie I Keener; three sisters, Gereldine Keener, Nola Davidson and Nina Kirk; two brothers, Alva Keener and Ivan Keener; and four brothers-in-law, Buell Kirk, Cleo Davidson, Jerell Reynolds and Alvin Wilson.
The family wishes to thank all those who prayed and helped during our time of need and bereavement. In Joe’s memory, donations may be made to the IHC Wound Clinic.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at the Serenity Funeral Home website. Arrangements and memorial tree planting have been made by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-2085.