Woodward County Obituary
Elmwood Cemetery

© Billings Funeral Home
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

DR. HOWARD B. KEITH

23 Aug 1932 - 13 May 2017

Service information has not yet been posted.

Howard Barton Keith, M.D., passed from this life on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, May 19, 2017 in the First Christian Church in Woodward. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Howard prepared the following letter for his family to use as his obituary:

I was born to two loving parents, John A. (Buster) Keith and Dorothy Murphy Keith on August 23, 1932. I had a sister who died at birth. My parents both preceded me in death and were dearly missed. I attended Enid High School and graduated in 1950. I then graduated from the University Of Oklahoma School Of Medicine in 1957. I then interned and took surgery and thoracic surgery residency at University of Oklahoma Medical Center finishing in 1963. I married my beautiful wife and love of my life, Joanne Lee Norman on March 12, 1954 during my freshman year of medical school. She was by my side and the strength I needed during the nine years of my training. I could have never made it without her love.

We were blessed with four wonderful children, Preston Keith, Kim Glazier, Shaun Keith and Spencer Keith. Throughout my life I received many honors and awards but the greatest award was my blessed wife and children. I loved all of you and thank you for all those great years.

I am now rejoined with Mom and Dad and all my wonderful hunting dogs. Dad and I will take the dogs quail hunting and Mom can cook them. We will be waiting to be with all of you again.

Love, Dad

Dr. Keith joined the staff at Newman medical Clinic in Shattuck, Oklahoma and practiced there from 1963 until 1988 when he moved his practice to Woodward. During his years of practice, he held a number of academic and administrative positions, including preceptor for OU Medical Center and President of NW Oklahoma Specialty Clinic in Woodward. While in Shattuck, Dr. Keith served as Chief of Staff and on the Board of Directors at Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck. During his years of practice in Shattuck and Woodward, he performed general and thoracic surgery. He was a member of the Oklahoma Thoracic Society, the American College of Surgeons, and the Southwestern Surgical Congress. He was a member of numerous other organizations including the Aerospace Medical Association and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery.

Dr. Keith retired in 1996, but he never stopped being active. He remained involved in activities that attracted business to Woodward. He participated in the Grand National Quail Hunt with his Dad since 1969. He was the Chairman of the Annual Lieutenant Governor’s Grand Slam Turkey Hunt. It was a great source of pride for Howard that the Hunt brought Mutual of Omaha to Woodward attracting CEOs from around the nation to enjoy the activities.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Lee Keith of Edmond, Oklahoma, son, Preston Keith and wife Judy of Edmond Ok., daughter, Kim Glazier of Edmond, Ok., son, Shaun Keith and wife Karla Kim of Norman, Ok., and son Spencer Keith and wife Dawn of Edmond, Ok. Grandchildren: Mindy Henry and husband Jackie of McKinney, Tx., Kristina Root and husband Brian of Noble, Ok., Courtney Thompson and husband Grant of Chevy Chase, Md., Seth Wanger of Arlington, Va., Jaclyn Keith of Norman, Ok. And Zac Keith of Norman, Ok.

Great grandchildren Brayden, Brooklynn, Savannah, Dorian, Morgan, Quinn, Kaitlin, Lauren, Alicen, Alisha, John Oxley, Anne Larken, Stephanie, Blake, Cierra, Chloe, Macy, and Madison , Ava, Daisy and Brock.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church with the funeral home accepting the contributions.