Lonnie Dale Keen was born on December 25, 1938, in Kiowa County, OK, to Theodore and Beulah (Merrell) Keen and passed from this life on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Weatherford, OK, at the age of 86 years, 4 months and 21 days.

Lonnie grew up in Retrop, where he attended school, played basketball and baseball, and graduated in 1957. On July 12, 1956, he married Faye Cotton in Wheeler, TX—choosing Texas so they could marry before he was of legal age in Oklahoma. The newlyweds spent their honeymoon night at a motel in Elk City across from Ackley Park, where Lonnie played an American Legion baseball game that very evening.

Lonnie and Faye made their home on the Keen family farm south of Retrop. Together, they farmed for 41 years. He and Glyn raised cattle, wheat, and cotton. He also worked at the Retrop Cotton gin and worked building the Clinton Sherman runway. He and Glyn handled most of their own mechanical repairs and overhauled countless tractor engines. Lonnie also did custom planting and stripping cotton for others with his brother and brother-in-law, J.T. The Keen family farm was recognized as an Oklahoma Centennial Farm in 2005.

Lonnie and Faye served faithfully as youth leaders in the Sentinel United Methodist Church for 22 years. In 1997, they moved to Elk City where they owned and operated the gift store, Something Special, and later retired from farming.

Lonnie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He enjoyed watching his daughters' play basketball and was known for moving furniture around in the living room after games to coach them on what they could do to improve. His support continued with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, faithfully attending their sports events and cheering them on with pride.

For many years, Lonnie also served as caretaker of the Retrop Cemetery. In his honor, donations can be made to the Retrop Cemetery Fund at All American Bank in Sentinel, OK.

Lonnie is survived by his two daughters: Lanetta Ward and husband, Doug of Las Vegas, NV and Teresa Schoonmaker and husband, Mark of Weatherford, OK; grandchildren: Shea Meget and husband, Nathan of Clinton, Brant Schoonmaker and wife, Amber of Tuttle, Ryan Ward and wife, Rene of Maple Valley, WA, and Lindsey Lux and husband, Thomas of Salem, OR; great-grandchildren: Conner, Hadley, Greyson, Atley, and Tate; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Faye Keen; his parents, Theodore and Beulah Keen, his brothers: Loyd, Glyn, and Junior; and sisters: Thelah, Imogene, and Kaye.