John Harold Keenon, Jr.

AIKEN, SC - John H. Keenon, Jr., age 82, of Aiken, SC, passed away August 16, 2015. Mr. Keenon was born in Ashland, KY, but spent his youth in Prestonsburg, KY. Upon graduating from high school, he was awarded three university music scholarships, and attended Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, where he met his wife Billie, of 61 years. He played the French horn in the university’s symphony orchestra and concert band, and then later served four and a half years in the United States Air Force. Following his service, he received an A.A. degree from Montgomery College in Takoma Park, MD and was president of his graduating class. He later graduated from The American University in Washington, DC, with a B.S. in business administration. Mr. Keenon’s business career included various management and executive positions in the casualty insurance, manufacturing, financial services, and computer industries. The majority of his career was spent in Baton Rouge, LA, where he was Senior Vice President of Louisiana National Bank and later became Operations Division President for Premier Bancorp, a multi-billion dollar financial holding company. During his banking career, Mr. Keenon was instrumental in the development of what was perhaps the first computer banking from home system, early development of automated teller machines (ATMs), and debit card systems in the early seventies. His community service was extensive; including serving several years on The Arts and Humanities Council of Greater Baton Rouge board, and two years as its president. He was the initial organizer of the Baton Rouge business community’s United Fund for the Arts. Mr. Keenon was presented the Council’s Award of Distinction in appreciation for his extraordinary and unfailing support of the entire cultural community. Mr. Keenon also served on the board of the Louisiana Arts and Science Center. He was the charter president of the Business Advisory Council for Computer Rehabilitation and Training for Severely Physically Handicapped Persons of Louisiana, which was a joint venture between the State of Louisiana, the Baton Rouge business community and Louisiana State University, and the chapter was voted #1 in the United States by the National Advisory Council. During his tenure as president, the Louisiana chapter placed one hundred percent of its graduates in computer related positions. Other community service participation included serving on the advisory board of the Goodwill Industries of Louisiana, the advisory board of the Baton Rouge District, the Southeastern Indiana District of the Boy Scouts of America, and Chairman of the American Red Cross Retail Division Annual Fund Drive in Columbus, IN. Mr. Keenon also served several years on the board of directors of the Mount Dora, FL Chamber of Commerce. He was commissioned a Colonel in Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels by the Governor of Kentucky in recognition of his community service activities. Mr. Keenon was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church of Little Rock, AR, where he served as Chairman of the church’s finance committee and was a member of the Church Council. He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken, SC. He is survived by his wife Billie, son John and wife Pamela, brother Rodney and wife Edith, granddaughters Jolie and Chelsea, step grandson Ross Lane, and two great granddaughters. A private interment will be held at the St. John’s United Methodist Church Columbarium. A memorial donation may be made to St. John’s United Methodist Church, Aiken, SC. SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC Please visit the online guestbook at www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Harold Keenon, Jr., please visit our flower store.