This obituary has been added to our website as a courtesy to the Keen and family.
Pat and Jimmy Taylor are part of our Jasper community and we extend our prayers to them as we share their loss.



Mr. Gerald Keen, 84 of Lake City, passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018, at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville. He was born in Lake City to the late Perry and Bessie Albritton Keen. Mr. Keen was raised and lived most of his life in Lake City. He served for 20 years and retired from the United States Navy, where he earned numerous good conduct medals, Vietnam service medals, campaign medals and Navy Unit Commendations; he also worked with the United States Postal Service for 10 years. Mr. Keen was of the Baptist faith and a charter member of Pine Grove Baptist Church. In his spare time he loved to read, fish and travel.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Rachel Keen, Lake City; two daughters, Patricia Taylor (Jimmy), Jasper and Vickie Lee, McAlpin; three brothers, Kenneth Keen (Shirley), Lake City, Frank Keen (Casta), Fruitland Park and Dewey Keen (Shelia), Schwartz Creek, MI; two sisters, Hallie Jean Henderson (Tommy), Burton, MI and Gloria Odom, High Springs; 3 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends also survive.

Funeral services were held on Friday, August 3, 2018 in the Gateway-Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel with Rev. Hugh Dampier officiating. Interment followed with military Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025. 386-752-1954 Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com