Mr. Clarence  Keil, Sr. "Red" , 94, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Beaumont, Texas. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Keil, will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel, located at 1395 Gladys Street in Beaumont, Texas 77701. A public viewing will be held for Mr. Keil, on Friday, April 18, 2025 from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m., and visitation on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home Chapel. Military Honors and Entombment Service will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas. For your safety, social distancing and facial masks are recommended.

T H E  L I F E  A N D  L E G A C Y                                                   O F
Clarence Keil, Sr.

"Red'

Clarence "Red" Keil, Sr. was born on June 24, 1930, to the late Lawrence Keil, Sr. and Alice Bourgeois-Keil. The Lord called him home to glory on April 10, 2025.
The Keil family moved to Beaumont, Texas from New Orleans, Louisiana when he was nine years of age where he attended public school.
Clarence, eager to improve his life and the lives of his loved ones, left Charlton Pollard high school in the eleventh grade to enlist in the Army Air Force. He was stationed at Smoky Hill Air Force Base, located 10 miles outside of Salina, KS where he became an Airframe/Power Plant & Engine Mechanic. As a certified mechanic, Clarence specialized in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the aircraft, including both the Airframe structure and the Powerplant which consisted of the engine and its electrical systems.
During his military service, Clarence became a respected boxer. In 1948, at the age of 18, Clarence won the Army Airfield Championship title in the national tournament at Smoky Hill Air Force Base.
By age 19, Clarence had won many Golden Gloves fights in the light heavyweight division and was regarded as having a "vicious temper" and a "terrific right-hand wallop". Clarence shared many memorable moments of his boxing career with family and friends. He always reminded anyone around him that he was a "beast in the ring". Clarence was honorably discharged from the military on April 14, 1949 after 3 years of service.
Upon returning to Beaumont, Texas, he gained employment in the food service industry and as a
skilled laborer. During this time, Clarence met and married the love of his life, Frances Jane Johnson, on March 4, 1950 and to this union four children were born.
In 1953, Clarence gained employment with B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company, which later became Ameripol Synpol Corporation. In 1995, after forty-two years of service, Clarence retired at the age of 65.
Clarence is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Alma Hudson and Sarah Gilbert; brother,
Lawrence Keil, Jr., and daughter, Alice Marie Keil Allen.
His love and memories will remain in the heart of his devoted wife of 75 years, Frances J. Keil;
children, Mary Nixon (Donald); Clarence Keil Jr.; Tammy Beloney (Lesly); and Robert Keil; brother Larry Keal of Tacoma, WS; children, Clarence Guillory (Irma), Tim Rawlins, and Terri Burnett; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.