Tom Keene

Ross Thomas “Tom” Keene, Jr.

1945 - 2019

Ross Thomas “Tom” Keene, Jr., age 74, passed away on October 3, 2019.  Tom was born in Beaumont, TX on March 14, 1945 to Ross Thomas Keene, Sr. and Anna Marie Cerar.

Tom grew up in Nederland, giving his life to Christ as a young man at First Baptist Church of Nederland. A drummer in the Bulldog marching band, he graduated from Nederland High in 1963.  Shortly thereafter, he decided to join the US Navy.  He received training as a Hospital Corpsman at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and was later assigned to Naval Air Station in Adak, Alaska.  During his tour there, he flew medical missions to Vietnam to pick up wounded servicemembers for further treatment at his base in Alaska. After his tour of duty was complete, Tom returned to his home area to pursue a career in the car business. Over the years he worked with new and used car dealers throughout Jefferson County and Harris County.  In his early years in the business, he loved cars so much that he started a “Go Cart” business in Beaumont and was usually seen anywhere there where stock car races or demolition derbies on the weekends.  As he developed contacts in the car industry, he decided to start his own used car business and helped friends with theirs as the years went on.  In addition to cars his other passion was sports, particularly the Cowboys and Astros.  He and his son, Cody, often went to Houston to sports events where they meet athletes from many sports teams.  Just ask Cody and he will show you their pictures. Tom never met a stranger, making friends and buddies all over the county.  He will be truly missed by his family and friends.

Left to honor his memory is his son, Cody Keene and wife, Dena, of Lumberton, TX; daughters, Shawna Rushing of Port Arthur, TX and Stacy Keene of Cleveland, OH; the love of his life, Beckie Keene; sister, Doris Miller Adkins; grandchildren, Kamri, Kori, Eric, and Kyle; great-grandchildren, Kayne and Kaysen; niece, Lori; nephew, Joey; close friends, Tim Medlin, Bert Conner and Larry Tillery; and a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Howard Keene and Joe Keene.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, October 7, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX.

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