Ray Pittman Keen, Sr., best known only as Coach, answered the final whistle of his life on September 29, 2019 in Greenville, Texas at the age of 81. Funeral services will be Friday, October 4, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 2701 Wesley Street, Greenville, TX with Dr. D.D. Sumrall, Jr and Dr. Chet Haney officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, October 3, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Chapel of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Private family Interment will be at D/FW National Cemetery on Monday, October 7, 2019.
It is not often that a man’s name can be tied directly to his life’s work….but such was the case with Ray Pittman “Coach” Keen, beloved former coach , mentor and friend to generations of football players, students, friends and family. His family and friends are secure that he is once again enjoying what he loved most…talking “game” with his fellow coaches and players that have gone before him.
Born in Quitman County, Mississippi on November 20, 1937, Coach Keen was a product of the Mississippi Delta and his love for his home state never faltered, until he moved to Texas! After graduating from Marks, Mississippi High School in 1955, Coach enlisted in the US Army and served as a Construction Engineer serving 3 years before being honorably discharged. During his service, he was attached to an Engineer’s group in France, but he also played football for his battalion and managed the basketball team. He left service in 1958 and returned to the states to pursue his life dreams. On December 26, 1959 Coach Keen married Geneva Collins in Marks, Mississippi and they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.
Coach Keen enrolled at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi and walked on to the football team. After seeing Coach’s maturity and desire, the Head Coach said, “You’re a ball player”, and offered him a scholarship. He never forgot the opportunity and was always thankful for the chance to play and get a degree. Upon graduation, a coaching position was made available at West Helena, Arkansas High School on Coach Larry Hogue’s staff. Coach Keen and Geneva started their journey in coaching and never left it behind. In 1963, Coach Hogue had accepted the Head Coach position at Greenville High School and persuaded Coach Keen to join him as the Junior Varsity Coach. He and Geneva accepted the offer and moved to Greenville where they spent the next 56 years impacting the lives of countless young people.
Upon the death of Coach Hogue, Coach Keen was designated as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director of Greenville High School, a position he held for 10 years, amassing 73 wins over that time period. He moved to the Greenville Middle School in 1994 and taught Texas History to 7th graders. He always laughed at the fact that he was the only teacher at GMS teaching Texas History that wasn’t from Texas!
Coach Keen got another chance to coach when his former QB Phil Blue offered him a position with the Quinlan ISD Panthers. It was a reunion that gave Coach Keen a new lease on life and led to an even greater appreciation for teaching and coaching. Coach became the Head Coach upon Blue’s departure and retired from coaching in 1994. Even after retirement, Coach Keen was called upon by defensive coaches across Texas for advice on defensive schemes and his counsel was sought after by those who recognized his gift of teaching.
Survivors include his wife Geneva Collins Keen of Greenville, son Ray Pittman Keen, Jr. and wife Sylvia of Nacogdoches, Texas, grandchildren Melissa Keen McIntyre and husband Nick of Colorado Springs, CO., Geneva Keen Souders and husband Cleve of Loveland, CO, and Layla Sanchez Murphy and husband Tommy of St. Louis, MO. Great grandchildren are Christopher McIntyre, Tyler McIntyre, Mercedes McIntyre, Adrian McIntyre, and Luna Souders.
Coach Keen was preceded in death by his parents James Henry Keen and Sarah Clyde Boone, his sisters Sally Permenter and Ruth Zeamon and brothers Jim Keen and James Henry Keen, Jr.
Pallbearers will be Phillip May, Duane May, Robert Hutchens, David Hall, Kent Fulks, Steve Mainord, and Hew Hamilton.
Those wishing to may make donations to the National Kidney Foundation through Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.