Winfrey "Dub" McKeel Jr.

Winfrey "Dub" McKeel Jr. passed away at the NYS Veterans' Home in Oxford NY on Saturday October 12, 2024, at the age of 86 (four days prior to his birthday). He was predeceased by his beloved wife Frieda McKeel, his mother Maybelle McKeel, Father Winfrey McKeel Sr., sister Kathy Zeitler, and brother-in-law Bill Zeitler. He is survived by his brother Richard McKeel, son Lee McKeel, daughter Melissa Horshinski, granddaughters Stefane Finch and Jessica Owen, great-grandkids Ashley Taylor, Katelyn Owen, Edward Owen, great-great-grandkids Elizabeth, Samuel, and Adrien. 

 Dub was born in Pampa Texas on October 16, 1937, to Winfrey J. McKeel Sr and Maybelle (Coffey) McKeel. His father worked at Shell Oil Company. Dub's young childhood was spent at the Shell Oil Camp housing community in Notrees Texas. Later the family moved to Odessa Texas where Dub and his family remained. Dub graduated from Odessa High School and joined the US Army. Dub was stationed in Germany where he met his beautiful wife, Frieda Freund. She was the light and love of his life, and he was her White Knight. They were married in Germany on June 23, 1958. They were married for 58 years! After his honorable discharge from the US Army, they moved back to Odessa Texas where they had two children, Lee and Melissa. Dub worked many years in the oil industry. He started as a mechanic at Gardner-Denver in the field, then worked his way up to numerous district manager positions with Pamco. The family lived in some unique areas of the country. They lived in Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Colorado. Dub enjoyed traveling and camping in nature and visited Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and others, always stopping at Jackson Hole in Wyoming. While living in Colorado Dub changed career paths where he became an entrepreneur, owning his own hardware store ("Gambles") for four years. Dub was offered an opportunity with TF Hudgins that he could not refuse. Dub moved the family back to Houston Texas for this career opportunity. He enjoyed his time at TF Hudgins, from which he retired. Throughout his life Dub was a Sunday School teacher for a time and many times a Treasurer and Deacon. 

 In their retirement, Dub and Frieda enjoyed a lifelong love of travel, cars, golf, bridge, camping, dominoes, hosting neighborhood parties, and a strong involvement in church activities. They took a summer camping trip from Texas to New York, to Washington state, back home to Texas. They took Frieda's dream trip to Hawaii and went back to Germany several times to visit with Frieda's family. They also spent multiple summers in New York with daughter Melissa and their grandkids. They moved several times during their retirement to Colorado, Arizona, and Utah.

 They lived in Saint George Utah until Frieda's passing on September 24, 2016. Upon Frieda's passing he moved to Norwich NY to be closer to his family and grandkids where he lived for seven years. Due to declining health Dub moved into Preston Manor, and then ultimately the NYS Veterans' Home in Oxford NY. Dub loved to play Dominoes when his son Lee visited. Dub was a challenging opponent and would catch Lee if he misplayed. 

 Dub passed in the company of his daughter Melissa and granddaughter Jess. After passing he was honored by the NYS Veterans' Home "Honor Guard" and staff at midnight. The Honor Guard is composed of Veterans residing at the home. The Veterans saluted Dub as he exited the building draped with an American Flag. This was a very touching gesture, and Dub would have been moved by this as were we all. Thank you, Honor Guard and staff! Thank you to the Apple staff for the love, support, and care provided to Dub during his final stages in life. 

 Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Behe Funeral Home Inc., A graveside service with Military Honors will be performed at the Riverview Cemetery in Oxford NY on Monday October 21st, 2024, at 2:00pm. Services will be performed by Pastor Rich Howard of the Methodist Church in Oxford NY. Friends and family may share memories and condolences by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.