John Winfield Keegan, Jr., passed away on September 7, 2017 in Conroe, Texas. He was born June 07, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John, Sr., and Anna Cole Keegan. He attended Transfiguration Catholic School in Philadelphia and graduated from Sharon Hill High School. He attended Drexel University in 1955, after four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Sanborn during the Korean War. John resided in the City of Panorama Village, Conroe, for 20 years with his wife, Patricia (Pat) Keegan. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and also enjoyed services with his wife at First Presbyterian Church of Conroe. He was employed by Gulf Oil Corporation/Chevron for 30 years, retiring in 1985 as Corporate Safety Director. He retired from his second career as a Senior Loss Control Inspector with Texas Municipal League, Austin, Texas in 1999. He enjoyed using his experience to improve safety measures for small municipalities, including Conroe and the surrounding Houston area.
John and beloved wife, Patricia Stoker ( Besheer) Keegan of 33 years, married in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Considering it was too far to drive to see Pat when she became General Manager of Mesilla Valley Mall, he then transferred from Houston with Travelers Insurance as a Loss Control Inspector to the nearby El Paso Area. An avid golfer, he was a member of Panorama Village Golf Club , past member of Onion Creek Country Club, Austin, Texas, Northern Hills Golf Club, San Antonio, and Picacho Hills Country Club, Las Cruces. He was a past member of American Society of Engineers, and other professional organizations, past President of Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 245, Conroe, Texas, 2010-2012, and in his younger years, member of Darby, Pennsylvania, NO. 2 Volunteer Fire Dept.
Mr. Keegan was preceded in death by his parents, John, Sr. and Anna C. Keegan; grandmother, Anna Mitchell Keegan; son, John W. Keegan, III; and sister, Carolyn Grace. Survivors include his spouse, Pat; daughters, Debra Cazalas, Sharon Estes, JoAnn Williams and Lisa Soetaert; step- sons, James Drake Besheer and Craig Steven Besheer; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Harry Grace; many nieces and nephews; close cousins, Judy Johnston, Lorene McIlhenney, Beverly Milnamow of Pennsylvania and JoAnn Byrne and Daniel Gallagher of New Jersey; and a host of friends.
Special appreciation to his loving daughters for their support, and Ron Meyers of Panorama Village, Dr. David Green, First Presbyterian Church of Conroe, Mary and Bob Brock who were so ready to help when needed. A special thanks to the nurses at Vitas Hospice who lovingly cared for both John and Pat throughout his illness.
A memorial service to commemorate his life will be held at 10 am on Monday, September 18, 2017 at the First Presbyterian Church in Conroe, Texas. Remembrances may be made to Mended Hearts, Inc., Chapter 45, Conroe, TX, at Conroe Regional Medical Center, Attention: Mr. Joe Fry.
