Keener C. Depew

Keener C. Depew, 86, of Kingsport, passed peacefully in his sleep into his eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Brookdale Assisted Living following a period of declining health. Born in Kingsport on October 24, 1929, a son of the late Onnie and Odell Harbour Depew, he had resided in this area his entire life. Keener graduated from Sullivan High School and from ETSU with a Business Administration degree. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the U.S. Air Force. Keener retired from Eastman Kodak in 1994 following 40 years of service.

He was a lifelong member of Glenwood Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, choir member and enjoyed working with the youth group for many years. Keener will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, dad, pepaw, brother and friend who loved people and playing golf.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living and Amedysis Health Care, and to his friends and the staff at Burger King on Eastman Road.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Jacqueline Frances "Jackie" Depew in 2013; brother, Sherrill Depew; and brother-in-law, Lynn Miller.

Keener is survived by two sons, Stan Depew and wife, Margaret, and Wes Depew and wife, Barbara; daughter, Jada Jones; grandchildren, Christopher and Courtney Depew, Dan and Sara Depew, Kelli and Buzz Morris, Jenny Depew, Jesse, Joseph and Jacob Jones; eight great-grandchildren, Asheton, Haigan, Eli, Emery, Makenna, Barrett, Everett and soon to be born, Xander; sister, Sara Lou Depew; sisters-in-law, Willa Depew and Sharon Miller; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 5-7:00 pm at Glenwood Campus of Indian Springs Baptist Church and at other hours at the residence of his son, Stan. A Celebration of Life will follow at 7:00 pm with Rev. Ivan Raley officiating. Special music will be provided by Mary Barker.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am at East lawn Memorial Park with the flag presentation by the American Legion. Those attending committal services are asked to assemble at the graveside by 9:45 am.

Pallbearers will be Christopher "Kit" Depew, Dan Depew, Jesse Jones, Joseph Jones, Jacob Jones and Buzz Morris. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Bruner and Dustin Bruner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Kiwanis Club of Cosmopolitan Kingsport Educational Scholarship, Fund, P.O. Box 774, Kingsport, TN 37662.

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