Stanley Greg Keene

Obituary

Stanley Greg Keene, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Lutz, Florida at 71 years of age.

Stanley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and moved around the southeast multiple times as a youngster. He lived in South Carolina and Georgia before settling in Tampa, Florida in 1962 at the age of 9. This is also when he got his first guitar. He lived there until he was 16 years old before he and his father Roy Keene moved together ahead of the rest of the family to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, he got his first job at Morrisons Cafeteria with his father. During this time, he met his future wife Rachel Thurston (Keene) while they both worked at Morrisons Cafeteria. Three years later when Stanley was 19 years old his family moved again while he stayed back to remain in Fort Lauderdale. Stanley and Rachel dated for 1 year in 1972-1973 and then they drifted apart and went their separate ways until they met again in 1977.

Stanley was saved as a teen when he was 15 years old but in 1975, he had an encounter with God and rededicated his life to the Lord. He then fell in love with Jesus with all his heart, mind, body, and soul. At the time of this encounter Rachel was still living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Within a year’s time he set out to find Rachel and share the Lord with her. Stanley wanted Rachel to know that God is real and for her to know Him and experience Jesus the way he had. Rachel accepted and wanted to follow Jesus and be with Stanley, and they were married 3 weeks later. From there on out Rachel was a faithful wife and was by his side through hills and valleys for 48 years.

Stanley fell in love with playing the guitar and pursued music as a teenager and young man. He developed a passion for worship and had a musical style resemblant of a Psalmist from the Bible. He also was ready to share the gospel with anyone at any time when the opportunity presented itself. Stanley had a great sense of humor, was lighthearted, and loved to laugh. He shared the Lord with no hesitation or fear of man. For Stanley, going to the grocery store wasn’t just about buying wheat but was a chance for reaping wheat for the great commission.

He had 3 children and 10 grandchildren, and he set a high standard and example of Christlikeness in his life and loved his family and treated his wife Rachel with sacrificial love. If you knew Stanley closely you knew quickly that his life was an example of dying to himself daily and striving to honor God and be Christlike in all that he did. In his last days he never complained, and he showed no weakness in his faith and belief in Gods sovereignty over his life.

“All I have is this book, the Word of God, and I will hope in this only” ~Stanley Keene

Surviving family:
Parents: Roy Jerry Keene, Margaret Lucille Keene
Siblings: David Vincent Keene, Roy Jason Keene
Spouse: Rachel Susan Keene.
Children: Jeremiah Gregg Keene, Natalie Brooke Clayman, Michael David Keene.
Grandchildren: Ruby Katherine Keene, Lillian Grace Keene, Henry Michael Keene, Margaret Pearl Clayman, Lola Quinn Clayman, Violet Anne Clayman, Stanley Maximus Keene, Presley Rose Keene, Cassius Colt Keene, Michael Gabriel Keene.
**Preceded in death by sister Debbie Francis Reed.

Celebration of Life Ceremony to honor Stanley Greg Keene will be held on May 25, 2025, from
2pm-5pm at Shiloh Farms, 16050 Glass Lake Road, Odesa, Florida 33556.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to 1Body Church at

https://www.1body.church give, in honor of Stanley’s memory and his love for the church.