Murray A. Keyes

Murray A. Keyes

July 6, 1931 - July 25, 2025

Murray Allison “Al” Keyes, 94, of Shoals, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Bedford.

Born July 6, 1931, in Denver, Colorado, he was the son of Harold and Gladys (Allison) Keyes.

Al graduated from Southeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri with the class of 1949; University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with the class of 1954; and later from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Master of Business Administration with the class of 1963.

He worked as a Computer Data Processing Consultant for McDonnell Douglas, while there he developed the barcode system for all employee badges. After retiring, Al and Carol opened The Parsons House, a bed and breakfast in Defiance, Missouri, which they operated for over 10 years. Upon full retirement

, they would snowbird to Ramblers Rest in Venice, Florida, where Al took up wood carving, playing the dulcimer, and bocce ball.

Al married Carol VanDyke on September 5, 1954, and she preceded him in death on June 7, 2014.

He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Korean War. Al was a Gideon and of the Christian faith.

Al enjoyed coffee, fishing, computers, reading, gardening, animals, ice cream, and traveling to all 50 states and over a dozen countries. He also became a stroke judge for the Wentzville Sea Dragons swim team.

Surviving are his children, Michelle Quinn, Brian (Martha Luz) Keyes, and Kirsten (Kenneth Benson) Greene-Benson; grandchildren, Christopher (Kelsey) Janssen, Stephanie (Matthew Pomeroy) Janssen, Mikaila Greene, Blake Benson, Liam Greene, Sylvia Benson, and Claudia Benson; great-grandchildren, Heidi Janssen, Eric Janssen, Tanner Janssen, and Sadie Janssen; and two nephews and one niece.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; brother, William Keyes; and son-in-law, Terry Quinn.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Queen-Lee Chapel of George Funeral Care with Loren Quick officiating. Burial will follow in Emmons Ridge Cemetery.

Visitation will be from noon until the service hour on Sunday at the Queen-Lee Chapel, Shoals.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.

In lieu of fresh flowers, the family requests live plants for a memorial garden in Memory of Murray “Al” Keyes.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.queenlee.com.