Donald F. Keene Sr.

Mr. Donald Franklin Keene, Sr., age 72 of Griffin, passed away on Thursday, February 27, 2014 following an extended illness. Mr. Keene was born in Thomaston, Georgia on September 6, 1941. He is preceded in death by his parents, Murray Hilton Keene and Genie Wilder Keene Johnson. Mr. Keene graduated from Griffin High School in 1959 and Gordon Military College in 1962. He received his B.S. in Criminal Justice and Human Services from Mercer University. He served as a military policeman in the United States Army from 1965 to 1969. He had a career as a disc jockey for both WHIE and WKEU in Griffin and also as an announcer for WSB Radio in Atlanta. He worked for the Clayton County Department of Family and Children’s Services from 1971 to 1973, for the Clayton County Police Department from 1973 to 1980, where he rose to Sergeant as a patrolman, and later was promoted to detective. During his tenure as detective, he never lost a case. He went on to become Chief Deputy of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Department, later as Lieutenant for the City of Morrow Police Department, and spent several years with the Pinkerton Security Service. He was a member of the First Christian Church of Griffin. He enjoyed fishing, trivia, reading, and his Facebook games and friends. Don was a diehard GA Tech fan, but rallied behind all Georgia Sports Teams. He loved music and was a wonderful drummer. His original band was the Keenenotes, and they played all over middle Georgia. When he was a senior in high school, he won the Freddy Miller Stars of Tomorrow talent show and received a trip to New York, where he auditioned for the Ted Mack Show. He was also a member of The Trends from 1969 to 1979. Survivors include his wife, Eileen Allison Keene of Griffin; son, Donald Franklin Keene, Jr. of Griffin; daughter, Holle’ Allison Keene Prigmore and husband, Jason of Temple, GA; sister, Betty Keene Candler of Bremen, GA; four grandchildren, Jonathon Thomas Keene, Nicholas Tyler Keene, James Denver Brooks, and Eli Shelton Prigmore; niece, Genie Elizabeth Kathleen Candler; nephew, John Pierce Candler, Jr.; great niece, Kathleen Claire Candler; and several cousins. Visitation for Mr. Donald F. Keene, Sr. is on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 11:30am until 1:00pm. Following the visitation, funeral services will be conducted in the Chapel of Conner-Westbury Funeral Home at 1:00pm. Reverend Tom Vanlaningham will officiate.

Donald F. Keene Sr.

September 6, 1941 - February 27, 2014