Service Thursday for Bud Keesee
Kenneth Earl “Bud” Keesee was born June 14, 1943 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to Kenneth and Willie Mae Keesee. He passed on August 10, 2021.
Bud was a longtime Holdenville resident, graduating from the Holdenville High School Class of 1961. Following high school, he attended Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. However, Bud’s main focus was always outside on the land and out of the classroom. He worked in farming and agriculture but found his passion training bird dogs and horses. He spent many years as the owner of Keesee Kennels developing animals for some of the most storied field trials in the nation. He spent time in Florida managing the famous Dixie Plantation. In his younger years, he showed steers in 4-H and FFA and spent time rodeoing, specifically calf roping and steer roping.
Bud is survived by his son, Aubie Keesee and wife Jackie of Wetumka and daughter, Susan Jackson and husband Robert of Frisco, Texas, his son by choice Eric Elliott and wife Crystal of Choctaw, and children Carson, Emma, Easton and Chase and sisters Sue Lyles, Judy Keesee, and Paula Tharp. Bud’s pride and joy were his six grandchildren, Gage, Tate and Tara Keesee and Aryn, Addyson and Ainsley Jackson. He was never happier than watching them play ball or dance and could be counted on to show a picture of them to anyone nearby.
Bud was lucky to be surrounded and supported by many lifelong friends and often recounted happy times of old. He was known fondly as a storyteller and always kept the good ol’ days alive.
Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, August 12, 2021 at Hudson Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Holdenville with Bill Robinson speaking. Interment will follow at Atwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bob Sherry, James Stafford, Bob Black, Jack Goodson, Jack Williams, Dave Cofer, and Vernon Thompson. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bobby Smith, Gary Phillips, Jack Thompson, Joe French, Buster Crawford, and Bill Tobey.
Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home, Holdenville, Oklahoma.