Keith Paul HECOX

HECOX, SUMMERS, LEAFSTEDT, KINCADE, JONES, BROWN, VANGUNDY, BLANKENSHIP, CLEM

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/1/2010 at 13:27:36

Maryville Daily Forum - Missouri
April 29, 2010

Maryville, Mo. - Keith Paul Hecox, 84, of Maryville, Mo., passed away April 23, 2010 at The Palms in Henderson, Nev. Keith was born in Clarion, Iowa on March 10, 1926 to Paul and Golda Hecox. They preceded him in death. Shortly after graduating Clarion High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He joined the 97th Infantry Division and in February 1945 left for overseas. He landed in LeHavre, France and helped clean up the Roer River Valley. From there he went into Southern Germany and finally into Czechoslovakia. Keith loved his country and was very proud to serve it. After the war, Keith enrolled at The University of Dubuque for two years and then transferred to the University of Iowa, where he received his B.S. in business. He married Beverly Sumners, Aug. 12, 1951, and they were happily married until her death in 2007. Keith and Beverly moved to Maryville where he worked for Dekalb Seed Company as a District Sales Manager, and they raised their family. Keith adored his wife and five children, and had a fond interest for farming and agriculture. His family will remember him for his kindness, affection, great sense of humor, and his extreme generosity.

He is survived by his children, Cristi (Mark) Leafstedt, Flagstaff, Arizona, Kimberly (Bill) Kincade, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dr. William (Lan) Hecox, Springfield, Missouri, Robert (Molly) Hecox, Liberty, Missouri, Cathy Jones, Henderson, Nevada and his brother Dale Hecox. He was a loving grandfather whose grandchildren have many wonderful memories of him. They include, Eric Kincade, Jennifer (Mark) Brown, Brett (Mindy) Kincade, Jason VanGundy, Paul (Sarah) Leafstedt, Ashley Leafstedt, Travis Hecox, James Blankenship, Emilee Blankenship, Paige Jones, Madeline Clem, Julia Clem, Jonathan Clem, and Isabelle Clem. His is also survived by his great grandchildren, Arriah VanGundy and Carter Leafstedt, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Hecox and his beloved wife Beverly. He was an amazing person, who loved God, his family, friends and his country. He will be greatly missed.

Keith’s body has been cremated under the direction of the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Inc. Please come, celebrate and remember Keith’s life with the family. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 10:30 a.m. until Noon at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, 206 E. South Hills Dr., Maryville, MO 64468. Memorial contributions can be made to SSM Hospice of NW Missouri, 1912 S. Main, Maryville, MO 64468.