Houston E. “Skip” Keen
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A Celebration of Life for Houston E. “Skip” Keen, 72, Lawrence, will be held 1:00 p.m., Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Stony Point Hall, 1514 N. 600 Road, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006. Houston passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at his home after a long 5-year battle with cancer.
Houston was born on August 20, 1949, in Esbon, KS, the son of Houston and Irma Elizabeth (Rogers) Keen.
Skip’s hobbies included competitive bowling, large scale gardening and canning salsa, rebuilding old cars, and trucks, and grilling, and loved to watch Royals Baseball.
In Skips early life he moved to McPherson, KS, as a young boy and then to Lawrence, KS in the late 50’s. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1967.
After high school, he worked as an electrician for Fleetwood Mobile Homes until the early 70’s. He then went to work for K-Mart Distribution as an electrician until the late 80’s where he met his wife, Carol.
Skip married Carol L. Bigsby Wooderson on April 20, 1985, in Topeka, KS, at Cedar Crest, the governors home. They began a successful property management company, owning apartments near KU campus and houses in Lawrence.
In 1986 they became parents for the first time to a daughter and again in 1991 to a son. Skip enjoyed watching his kids show animals all over the country and Canada. He never missed an opportunity to cheer them on.
Skip was preceded in death by his parents, Houston E. Keen and Irma Elizabeth Keen, sister, Jan Ellen Cookson and Niece, Connie Jean Jantz.
Skip is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Carol L. Keen, daughter, Kalli (Kevin) Keen Ehrhardt, Baldwin, MD, son, Quinton Keen, Lawrence, KS, two granddaughters, Bristol Lynn, and Blakely, Ehrhardt, MD who he adored and loved, sister, Lee Lasley, Hillsboro, OR, five nephews, and many great nieces and nephews.
Skip will mostly be remembered for being a devoted husband, beloved father and #1 papa.
Memorial contributions may be made in Houston’s name to University of Kansas Health System Cancer Center and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Carol and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss.
You are in our thoughts.
To Skip’s family:
I worked with Skip as a security guard at K-Mart and was so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a joy to work with and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To all of Skip’s family,
We are sorry for this difficult loss and are thinking of you.
Carol and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Skip’s passing. We have so many fun memories of the time we were able to share with you both. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jack and Corinne
Carol & Family, I’m was so sorry to learn of Skip’s long illness and recent passing. My thoughts and prayers our with you and your family
Nancy Jaeger (your old neighbor at Pleasant Grove Estates)
So sorry to hear about Skip, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I was a classmate of Skips from Lawrence High. I remember him fondly. He was friendly and caring. My condolences to his Family, I am so sorry for your loss. May God’s Love bring each of you comfort during this most difficult time.
Good bye “old friend”. It was fun shooting pool and drinking a few beers at the Stables back in the 60’s.
The Harvey family extends our condolences to your family. Prayers to you.
Carol,
I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you strength and comfort in the days ahead. I read that Skip was from Esbon KS. Only good people come from Esbon.
Our condolences to the family,your in our thoughts and prayers!
Skip was my cousin. I remember him when I was a younger growing up in Lebanon KS. Duane Keen was his Dad’s brother. I knew him as uncle Bus.
Mary Barnes is correct. Good people love in Esbon and Lebanon.
Skip was a very good friend of mine. We worked together at K-Mart. Prayers to Carol and the family.
Butch and Kathryn Johnson.
I’m so sorry for your loss Carol. Praying for you and your family.
Carol, I’m so sorry to read of Skip’s passing. Thinking about you and all the family.
Skip was a fellow classmate at Lawrence High, my thoughts and prayers are with you
Skip and I camped out together with some other guys where apartments and houses are now, we played in LHS band together, and I’m proud of his accomplishments!