James Keith Mullen
August 28, 1940 - October 5, 2023
Posted by: Jo Aguirre

Resthaven Funeral Home
Oklahoma City, OK
(permission granted)

James Keith Mullen was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on August 28, 1940, to Jerome Willis Mullen and Mary Edith Turman Mullen. At an early age he was stricken with a life-threatening illness which resulted in his being hospitalized in Kansas City for several weeks. Due to the development of a new drug, Penicillin, his life was saved.

Keith attended Bartlesville public schools and graduated from College High School in 1959. He was a newspaper boy as a youth and remembered delivering papers to Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum, and other notables in the oil industry in Bartlesville. He also worked at the Men's Club at Phillips Petroleum during high school.

Upon high school graduation, Keith attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was in ROTC. He transferred to the University of Kansas before returning to OU to complete his bachelor's degree in microbiology. During that time, he and Sherrill Dove married in Tulsa, OK and continued their undergraduate studies.

Keith always had an inquisitive, intellectual mind and read vociferously throughout his life. He was particularly fascinated by military history and had collected an extensive library on his favorite subjects. He also traveled extensively, both in his early adulthood and throughout his life. He took great pleasure in introducing his wife and his daughter, Traci, to the wonders of the world and was a knowledgeable tour guide.

Keith was certified as an MTASCP Medical Technologist and worked at several hospitals in the OKC area throughout the years. Due to his extensive education and experience, he was an expert in the laboratory in identifying and diagnosing illness.

In addition to his medical profession, Keith and Dr. C. J. Shaw joined forces to purchase land in the Moore area to develop. Keith became the developer and completed two subdivisions in Moore, one of which became the family home, while also continuing to work in his chosen profession. He was a man of many talents.

His greatest joy in life came with the birth of his daughter, Traci Diane, in 1969. He was one of only two fathers who attended all her softball games and even had the field leveled for her team's practices. He was an outstanding father, teaching Traci to catch high fly balls and giving her the guidance and discipline that every child needs. Sherrill was especially grateful for this aspect of his character as Keith and Traci were so temperamentally alike, both being quite head-strong and stubborn. He also built her a lovely home to his architectural taste. Her home is a testament of his love for her and his desire to provide her with a home that will always remind her of her father.

Keith left this Earth a better place than he found it on October 5, 2023, passing peacefully in his sleep. We are deeply grateful for this quiet exit as his health had declined to the point that he could no longer enjoy the things in life that gave him pleasure.

Keith is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sherrill, daughter Traci, brother Jerome W. Mullen, nephews Brent and Jason Mullen, niece Carrie Steed and sister-in-law Marnie Dove. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Jay, nephew Jimmy and brother-in-law, Bill Dove.

Visitation is 10:00am-1:30pm, Sat., Oct. 14, 2023 at Resthaven Funeral Home in OKC. Services for Keith will immediately follow at 2:00 pm in the Chapel at Resthaven. He will be interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville, OK where his parents are buried.

Services will be live-streamed for those who would like to attend virtually. Please use the link below to enter your information and access the live-stream.

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