More detail on this person: Michael John "Mike"
Keating, Class of 69-9, passed away Sunday, Sept.
10, 2006, at his home in Ponca City, OK. He was
64.
Mike was born on Saint Patrick's Day in 1942 to
Jack and Helen Keating. He grew up in Ponca City
with his sister Janie and his brother Monte. Mike
joined the U.S. Army at the age of 20. He attended
flight school in 1968-69 and served as a
helicopter pilot in Vietnam 69-71.
He and his wife Kay had three children, Mick,
Thomas and daughter Cindy. During his 27 years of
service, Mike and his family traveled from Germany
to Hawaii and many points in between. After
retirement Mike took a job in Honduras where he
met and married Maria. After adopting her two
children, Oscar and Deybi, Mike and Maria had two
more sons, Mikie and Shawn. Mike and his family
then moved home to Ponca City in 1997, when he
took a job at the Post Office.
Mike traded in his shotgun and fishing pole for
golf clubs and really enjoyed the time on the golf
course with Mel and all his golfing buddies.
Another of Mike's favorite pastimes was
socializing at the Moose Lodge where he was a
regular in the pool tournaments. He was also very
active with the wrestling and football team
families. One of the highlights of Mike's day was
when the grandkids came to visit.
Mike Keating was a life member of the VHPA and
was liked and respected everywhere he went. He
will be greatly missed.
I only met Mike once, in 2001, at our 40th high
school reunion and we talked briefly about flying
helicopters. I'm not familiar with his career in
the Army or what and where he flew.
From: Art Ashton
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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