Keith Churchill
Obituary
Leonard Keith Churchill was born May 15, 1930 in Blackwell, OK to Jesse & Opal (Moss) Churchill and passed from this life on July 17, 2023 at the age of 93.
Keith’s band career began in the 5th grade at Orlando, where he quickly became proficient on the cornet. He attended Shidler High School, where Ashley Alexander was his band director. After graduating from high school in 1948 he enrolled at Oklahoma A&M as a petroleum engineer, but band and music were too important to ignore. He changed his major to Music Education, receiving his degree in 1953. While in college Keith was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha (vice president) and Kappa Kappa Psi. Following graduation he taught band for one year in Attica, Kansas and then returned to Oklahoma where he was band director at Sand Springs for four years. In 1960 he earned his Master’s and went to Jenks. The Jenks Junior High band, under Keith’s direction, never received anything other than Superior ratings at both District and State contests. The High School band also received Superior ratings. The Jenks High School Band was awarded the honor of being the “School Musician” Band of the Month. When Keith left the Instrumental Music Program at Jenks in 1978, to go into administration, there were four staff members and more than 600 students in the program. During his tenure as band director at Jenks he was a member of the Oklahoma Education Association, National Education Association, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Phi Beta Mu (president 2 years) and American School Band Directors Association. In recognition of Keith’s contribution, the Jenks Instrumental Department each year honors the outstanding band student in the 8th grade from both Jenks Central Middle School and Jenks East Middle Schools with the “Keith Churchill Award”.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Marion & Benny Beck. He is survived by his son, Jerald Keith Churchill; his daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Sue & Max Terhune; his grandchildren, Joi, Candi, Pamela and Lauren; and his great grandchildren, Amelia, Elizabeth, Joshua and Atalie.
Keith will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 20, at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 5-7pm. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, at Memorial Park Cemetery.
In leiu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 3131 E. Pine Street, Tulsa, OK 74110 or www.dav.org
Events
Tributes & Memories
During his remarkable life, Mr. Churchill influenced many young lives in a positive way. We are all grateful to him in our own special way. Thanks, Mr. C. for all you did for us. Rest in peace.
Charles Brown
I loved seeing Mr. Churchill when he’d make his occasional trip to Lowe’s, what a sweet man. I’ll miss seeing him in his cutoff overalls, what a character! May he rest in peace. Sarah Jackson
Sarah Jackson
Thank you Mr. C for giving me a great life in music. Your stern, and high standards have paved my way as a band director. Your caring and smile paved my way as a man. Thank You.
Kyle McKinzey
Mr Churchill was not only a family friend but my band director from 6th grade until I graduated high school. He was tough, fair and a truly honorable man that we loved and respected as his band members. He and Mrs Churchill raised us all. Rest in peace Mr C.
Rusty Fields
Mr C, first of all, thank you for your service to the US Army, you are one of my heroes. Secondly, thank you for being a terrific band director and making us march and look good on the football field and in the streets for the many parades we marched. When I went to basic training for the Air Force, I knew my marching stuff, thanks to you! You will always be in my heart and memories, even if I don't remember the names of the pieces we played. Grades 8 through 12 was more bearable thanks to band and stage band. I'll see you on the other side and we'll play a little ditty along with Charley Hicks :-) Thank you Mrs C and Pam for sharing Mr C with us in the classroom and on our band trips. Ann DeLatte 1974
Ann Schermer
In honor and on behalf of Betty and Charlene Hicks. My thoughts and prayers are with the Churchill family
Tyler Hicks
When Keith was the principal at Jenks Central Middle School, he hired me to teach Speech and Drama and eventually asked if I would be in charge of the yearbook for the school. He was a great administrator and became a great friend. After he moved to Jenks East Middle School, he called and offered me the Speech and Drama position there. I, of course, accepted because I loved working for and with him. Keith remained a good friend throughout the years even after I left Jenks Public Schools. I will always treasure our friendship.
Pat Belcher
Mr. Churchill had a profound influence in my life. He was one of the most important teachers in my life. When I don’t know what to do or say I just remember to “lift your right knee”.
Tina Meyer