OSAGE BEACH, MO — Francis J. Keenan, 88, known as Red, died peacefully on June 8, 2016. Red was born to Frank and Hazel Keenan on Jan. 25, 1928 in Great Bend, KS. He was the oldest of four children. Beverly Schaub, Kathleen Casey and Thomas Keenan have preceded him in death. Red enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1947 and ws discharged in 1949 with the rank of electricians mate, 3rd class. Red was employed by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Great Bend from 1950 until he retired in 1980. He started an independent communication company specializing in fiber optic long distance systems. Red was one of the first to specialize in fiber optic communication systems in the region. From 1982-2006, he was based out of Coffeyville, KS.
Red Keenan married Carol Ann Myers on Sept. 9, 1952 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend. Red and Carol lived in Great Bend until 1979 when they moved to St. Louis, Mo. They divorced in 1982 and he moved to Coffeyville, Kan. He was married to Eileen Little from Dec. 22, 1982 until their divorce on Sept. 23, 2003.
Red was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at St Rose of Lima in Great Bend, Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville and Our Lady of the Lake in Osage Beach, Mo. He was a man of great faith. He will be missed for his humor, common sense and strength. Red was brother, father, grandfather and friend.
Survivors include his four daughters; Kathleen Keenan of Oklahoma City, Okla., Mary Towns and Kelli Trautman, both of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Ruth Paiano of Leesburg, Fla., and seven sons; Joseph and Daniel, both of Osage Beach, Mo., Michael of Columbia, Mo., William of Kansas City, Mo., James of St. Louis, Mo.,and John and Paul, both of Salt Lake City, Utah; and 27 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Osage Beach, Mo. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at Great Bend Cemetery with Father Ultan Murphy officiating. In lieu of flowers, donate to the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Charities or Catholic Relief Services in memory of Francis J. “Red” Keenan. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home*
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, Kansas 67530