Harold Alvin Keel, age 90, resident of Coweta, Oklahoma, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at his home in Coweta, Oklahoma.

Harold arrived in this world on July 3, 1936, in rural Broken Arrow during a record-setting heat wave. His parents, Joe Alvin Keel and Nannie Lee (Ward) Keel, spent the next few weeks struggling to keep him alive. His mother recounted many times how she would place him on the kitchen table in front of an open window and surround him with wet towels in hopes there would be enough wind to help cool their first-born, enabling him to survive.

He survived the heat only to have another close call with death as a toddler. While at his grandmother’s house, he found a container of lye that was sitting out in preparation for making soap. He drank the lye, which did considerable damage to the inside of his mouth, throat, and other things. He had to learn to walk and talk all over again. However, he never got in trouble for sticking out his tongue at anyone for the rest of his life because the lye had eaten off the end of his tongue.

Harold grew up on his parents’ farm, where his days were filled with helping with the daily dairy chores and whatever other chores needed to be done for the season. He became a skilled carpenter and machinist, which enabled him to be a provider for his family as well as a willing servant to help family and friends with building and repair projects of all kinds.

Harold attended Sunnyside School as a child, then graduated from Coweta High School in 1954. He married his high school sweetheart, Mildred Ann (Borneman) Keel, on June 1, 1956. They were married for almost 70 years before the passing of Mildred in January of this year. They spent the first few years of their marriage with Harold answering his call to serve in the Army. Part of this time they spent at an Army assignment in El Paso, Texas. After his service was over, they returned to Oklahoma and lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where their children were all born. During this time, Harold embarked on a career at Crane Carrier Company building trucks. He started out as a machinist and worked his way up through the ranks until he spent a few years as plant manager. He retired from Crane Carrier after 41 years of building cement trucks, trash trucks, and oil rig equipment.

Harold and Mildred returned to the Coweta area in 1972 after the birth of their youngest daughter and built a house on Mildred’s parents’ farm. He enjoyed taking care of the cows, baling hay, and living the life of being on the farm.

Harold and Mildred were longtime faithful members of Lone Star Baptist Church. He served as a deacon, Sunday School director, and Sunday School teacher. He helped with many building projects at the church during the years.

Harold is survived by his three children and their families: Brenda Livesay and husband, Steve, of Porter, Oklahoma; Calvin Keel and wife, Jodie, of Coweta, Oklahoma; and Marsha Chasteen and husband, Carl, of Coweta, Oklahoma.

He is survived by five grandchildren: Melanie Merritt, Brian Livesay, Cambrie Keel, Annie Keel, and Joel Keel. He also has three great-grandchildren.

Harold was the oldest of five kids. He is survived by his sister, Wilma Jean Harrison of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; brothers, Dwain Keel and Dwight Keel, both of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Keel.

He is also survived by many other cousins, nieces, nephews, family members, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2026, with the family present to receive friends from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating Harold’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Lone Star Baptist Church in Coweta, Oklahoma, with Rev. Sam Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Vernon Cemetery in Coweta, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Brian Livesay, Joel Keel, John Keel, Ralph Keel, Allen Harrison, and Clint Keel.

Family and friends are invited to share memories online at www.brownfamilycares.com. The family of Harold Alvin Keel entrusted his care and services to Brown’s Funeral & Cremation Service, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, Oklahoma 74429, 918-486-5515.