Keeling Mcgaughey

Keeling T. McGaughey, 83 year-old resident of Langley died November 8, 2008 at the Southcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. Keeling was born in Tulsa on November 12, 1925 to Frank and Gertrude (Scott) McGaughey. He attended school in Tulsa until his family moved to Disney, Oklahoma. When Keeling was a sophomore in high school, the bus driver became ill, and asks if anyone could drive a school bus and get the kids home safely. So for the next three years he drove the bus back and forth from Jay to Disney. During the 1930's he was inspired by the construction of the longest multiple arch dam in the world that stretched from Langley to Disney and dreamed of a career in engineering. After he graduated from high school He went to Oklahoma State University received a degree with honors in electrical engineering, becoming one of the first students to graduate the fledgling department. While at Oklahoma State University he lived in the basement of a funeral home, becoming a licensed embalmer in his spare time and on the weekends he hitchhiked from Stillwater to Tulsa so he could work at his Dad's pharmacy. His first and only job after graduation was with the Grand River Dam Authority, where he worked for 48 years and became one of the state of Oklahoma's longest serving employees. Keeling steadily worked his way up from Chief Engineer and finished as the Assistant General Manager in charge of Operations and Engineering, where he touched the lives of thousands of people. He was one of the world's foremost experts in Hydro-Electric Dams, and consulted on projects in many far away countries, such as Japan, Switzerland, and Germany. In 1973 he rode a greyhound bus to Oklahoma City and successfully petitioned the State Bank Examiners for the first charter of Bank of the Lakes, where he remained on the Board of Directors until his passing. He was recipient of numerous awards and accolades, too many to mention here, and was honored this past summer by his college Alma Mater in Stillwater. He spent his days doing what he loved, being on with his beloved wife Idella, spending time with his grandkids, and living on beautiful Grand Lake. He loved to gaze at the lake from his deck perched high on the bluff watching the boats come and go. Keeling was a paramour in the community and a man who was loved by all who met him. He was the cornerstone of his family, calm, steady, solid and supportive. Always generous and forgiving, and most importantly never judging anyone. He will surely be missed by family and friends and all those who knew him and spent time on Grand Lake. He is survived by his wife Idella (Briggs) McGaughey, a son Ron Large and his wife Bev; grandsons, Chris Large and his wife Natalie and their sons, Rohan and Ravi; Scott Large and his wife Kala and their daughter Lily. All will miss their gramps. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the South Grand Lake Christian Church on County Line Road north of Langley with Pastor Greg Smith officiating. Casket bearers will be, Gary Kirby, Chris Coody, Brett Coody, Rick Carnahan, David Carnahan and Paul Hocutt. Online condolences can be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel South Grand Lake Funeral Home in Langley.

Service Details

Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 2:00pm, South Grand Lake Christian Church