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May 22, 1927 - July 18, 2018
Funeral services for George Erhart Keck Jr., 91, will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, Fairview, Oklahoma. Burial service with the family will precede in Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home INC.
George Erhart Keck, Jr., was born May 22, 1927 to George Sr. and Mary (Ratzlaff) Keck in Fairview, Oklahoma. George was the youngest of six children and grew up in Fairview, attended Fairview Schools, and was a star athlete in addition to Junior and Senior class president at Fairview High School. He met and fell in love with a pretty blonde young lady that caught his eyes at the train tracks in Okeene, OK. George and Dorris married December 1, 1946. They were blessed with three children; George Randolph (Randy), Rodney Grant (Rod), and Dawn Robin, whom all have succeeded with their own endeavors and families. George was a successive entrepreneur, a skilled pilot, and a lifetime learner, which helped the beloved restaurant, The Feedlot II, to be a success for 36 years.
George lived boldly and was the hardest working man that his family ever knew. At age 16 he began operating heavy machinery on his father’s road crew, and later the “Keck Brothers” purchased the Plymouth Chrysler and Desoto dealership, followed by the Fairview Packing Plant, a hog farm, turkey operation, and the Feedlot 1 in 1970. At the helm of Fairview’s (the world’s really) greatest buffet at the Feedlot II, George relished the many years of interactions he had with his daughter Robin, family members, customers and community members in Fairview, as well as on oilfield caterings throughout Oklahoma. If anything needed to be fixed – he could do it – including climbing the ladder to the roof of the restaurant to fix the air conditioner on the hottest days of summer. George was energetic and never slowed down until later in life when his physical strength could no longer keep pace with his mind. He not only believed in hard work, but was an outstanding example of hard work to his family and community.
His grandchildren remember him fondly as ‘Papa,’ and remember eating pizzas and cucumbers and vinegar around the pool, drinking the backwash from his Budweiser bottle, going on Jeep rides, receiving a priceless education from his constant guidance, snow skiing, swimming, listening to him tell stories of his past and recapping sporting events (both critiquing and praising the performances he loved to witness), and making trips to the “City” while listening to Paul Harvey, World War II era music, or Patsy Cline during the drive. They all helped at the Feedlot II restaurant or with whatever project George needed assistance with. Some of his greatest memories were made during numerous family trips to Colorado and taking the children and grandchildren on adventures to Yellowstone National Park and Roman Nose State Park, and ski trips.
George will be remembered in several ways, above all his big glowing smile, hearty laughter, deep love for his family and sports, and his peaceful and influential relationship with Jesus Christ. His famous cooking, stories, and easy-going yet adventurous spirit will be missed by everyone that knew him and were blessed to have time on this earth alongside him.
Those that reflect and cherish the memories are his wife Dorris of more than 71 years; son Randy, son Rod and wife Twylia, and daughter Robin and husband Randy Cofer, all of Fairview Oklahoma. George was proud of his six grandchildren; Cassidee Fortune and husband Travis of Fairview, OK; Kara Simonson and husband Blake of Fort Worth, TX; Lincoln Keck and wife Lisa of Fayetteville, AR; Tyler Cofer and wife Lindsey of Las Vegas, NV; Mason Keck and wife Lindsey of Fairview, OK; and Corey Cofer of Oklahoma City, OK. George and Dorris also have eleven great-grandchildren; Jazlyn, Brenner, and Hallee Fortune; Ava, Penn, and Warren Simonson; Finley, Griffin, and Palmer Keck; Jax and Briggs Cofer. Additionally, there are numerous nieces, nephews, and well-fed and well-advised friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Lawrence, Leon, and Clarence “Bud”; and two sisters, Mary “Sis” McMillan and Alice “Toots” Heffel.
The family thanks the staff at the Fellowship Home for their compassionate care during his stay there. Thanks to Faith Hospice for your assistance over the last few weeks before George entered the Heavenly Gate.
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