Jay and Oleta Keel were married for 55 years and lived in the Chickasaw Nation (Ada area) for most of their lives. They were strong in their Christian faith. Oleta was a Bible study teacher for over 40 years. She was committed to home and foreign missions through the First Baptist Church of Ada for over three decades. Mrs. Keel was dedicated to the local Federated Women’s Democratic Club and a leader in the Ada Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Jay, whose father Lewellyn (Dink) Keel was an original enrollee, was a proud Chickasaw citizen. He was the founding director of the Chickasaw Nation “Indian Action Team” - a program that taught construction skills to young Chickasaw citizens.  He then served as President of the Chickasaw Construction Company, which later became Keel Construction.  As a general contractor/home builder, he was responsible for the construction of over 800 homes.  Mr. Keel was a lifelong rancher and a decorated veteran of WWII, serving in the Army Air Corps and was wounded in combat at Nancy, France.  He excelled as an athlete in both football and boxing.

Mr. and Mrs. Keel were wonderful parents and grandparents and their lives had a lasting impact on the local community.