Mr. Jack H. Keel, 86, passed away at his residence in Barnwell on Saturday, September 23, 2017.
Mr. Keel was born in the Long Branch community of Barnwell County on March 31, 1931. He was the son of the late James Robert Keel Sr. and Lelia Hair Keel. He was married to Mary Bodiford Keel for 64 years.
Mr. Keel grew up working on the family farm and the Barnwell Peanut Company. He then worked for the U.S. Post Office and Folk Buick as he began working part time for the State Farm Insurance in 1958. He later went to work full time with State Farm until his death. During his almost 60 years with State Farm he won many awards and more than lived up to State Farm's motto "like a good neighbor State Farm is there."
Mr. Keel loved God first, his family and all the many people of Barnwell County. He raised his two boys with Mary in a Christian home and was an excellent role model of hard work, kindness and compassion for family and friends. His grandchildren were certainly one of the greatest joys of his life and could always make him smile and laugh. He loved doing for others and helped many in Barnwell.
Mr. Keel was a Mason, served on Barnwell City Council, chaired and served on the Barnwell County Hospital Board, chaired and served on the Lower Savannah Regional Council of Governments, and the South Carolina Commission on Aging.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Ken Cato officiating. Burial will follow in the Hair Cemetery off Hwy. 37 near Williston. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. Memorials may made to the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Survivors include sons, Harold (Tricia) Keel and Mark (Jeri) Keel; grandchildren, Amanda (Brent) Cobb, Caroline (Jonathan) Younts, Will Keel and Cody Keel; great-grandchildren, Aden, Jax and Mary Cohen Cobb. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Bodiford Keel; sisters, Myrtle Goodwin, Lucille Childress, Mattie Lou Birt Dyches, Helen Keel, Mildred Keel; and brothers, Cecil, Ralph, Murray and Junior Keel.
Mole Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please visit the online registry at molefh.com.