More detail on this person: Dana Ed Keeney, also known as Ed, passed away Friday, April 20,
2012, at his home in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Born in Prenter, W.Va., on May 23, 1949, to parents Charles E. Keeney and the late Frances
(McCormick) Keeney, Ed grew up in his hometown of Carlsbad, N.M.
He began his career in the U.S. Army as a warrant officer. Immediately after flight school Ed was
deployed to Vietnam as an OH-6 Scout pilot in the 1st Cavalry Division. He flew 400 combat missions,
was shot down three times within a 48-hour period, and was severely wounded the last time he went
down. He was awarded the following medals for heroism: Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf
cluster, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with V, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf
clusters, and the Purple Heart. Ed was also awarded the Master Aviator Wings, Meritorious Service
Medal with oak leaf cluster, and National Defense and Army Commendation Medals. He retired out of
Fort Rucker, Ala., as a Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) with 26 years of service.
After his military retirement, Ed continued his career in helicopter aviation, flying for Petroleum
Helicopters Inc. (PHI). For over eight years Ed flew oil inspectors to the platforms in the Gulf of
Mexico.
Ed was a man of faith and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a loving husband, father
and grandfather. He also was a member of the Emerald Coast Mustang Club and enjoyed his Shelby
Mustangs. In his younger years, Ed was a 2nd degree black belt and instructor in Hapkido. He also
enjoyed deep sea fishing, scuba diving, watching NASCAR races, making model cars, helicopters and
planes. He will be missed dearly.
Ed is survived by his wife, Chong Keeney; five children, Clint Keeney, Trisha Holub, Jason Durr,
Susan Keeney and Melisha Keeney; five grandchildren, Alexander Rivera, Serena Keeney, Cameron
Wilson, Caden Wilson and Joshua Holub; father, Charles Keeney; sister, Tara Olds; and many close
friends.
Funeral services will be at Calvary Baptist Church, Clifford Street, on Monday, April 30, at 10 a.m.
for close friends and family. His body will be transported to Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air
Station, 1 Cemetery Rd. Pensacola, Fla. His burial ceremony will be conducted at 2 p.m. at Shelter B
and will include full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church and The Emerald Coast Mustang
Club.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Published in Northwest Florida Daily News from April 27 to April 28, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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