Our own personal National Hero, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Dear Friend, Howard Gawain Keen Sr. passed away on June 2, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Howard was born on August 9, 1933 to Raymond Love and Flora Lee Riddle Keen in Highway, Clinton, Kentucky. Howard married Marcia Cowley-Keen on June 22, 2002.
Howard loved his country and sacrificed much to serve The United States of America. In 1954 Howard joined the Army on Feb 24th in Ft. Leonard wood, Missouri. He actively served for over 30 years. During this time he was honored to have served 3 tours in Vietnam and many other areas of the world.
He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on April 6, 1968 and continued to serve in many callings within the church. One of the things he enjoyed was the Friday evenings over the last 12 years that he and Marcia spent on and LDS Service Mission for Public Affairs at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. He had a strong testimony of the Atonement and our Savior Jesus Christ.
Some of the things that Howard's family and friends will always remember about him. He appreciated a good cut of steak as long as it was well, well done and if he choose his favorite place to eat it would be Cracker Barrel and his meal would include pinto beans, cornbread and a big glass of buttermilk. You would often hear country music coming from his radio in his prized "RED" truck. Howard liked to spend time watching John Wayne movies as well as TV shows like NCIS and Monk. There would always be a Louis L'Amour book lying around so he could get to them easily. He relished the time he spent with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Howard and Marcia traveled the world extensively. Some of Howard's favorite places were Peru, the Panama Canal and Africa where they went on safari. It was during a trip to Japan that he experienced a stroke. He spent 6 weeks in the hospital in Kagoshima before they were able to transport him home. He survived long enough to return to the USA and his family was able to be with him as he returned to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Howard is survived by his wife, children; Howard Clayton, Rosetta Marie, Howard (Tex) Gawain Jr, Michelle Marie, Brian Lewis, Bruce Leo, Candice Jayne; Step-children Janae Rapps, Trevor Cowley, Jen Toland, Heather Brock and Megan Cowley, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 6, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park Chapel, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah, 84065. Viewings will be held on Thursday from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, Utah and also on Friday from 10:00-10:45 AM prior to services at the Memorial Park Chapel. For full obituary and to offer online condolences to the family please visit www.Larkincares.com
