Melinda Mcelroy Keeley

Melinda McElroy Keeley was born January 19, 1949 in Norman, OK to Franklin D. “Pete” McElroy and Lucy Ellen Roberts McElroy. She passed away at Norman Regional Hospital on January 26, 2022. She loved growing up in Pauls Valley, and then making her home in Norman where, in both places, she made many life-long friends.

Melinda was a cheerleader and all around active student at Pauls Valley High School. She went on to get her degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1971 where she was a proud member of the Chi Omega Sorority. While at OU Melinda met and married Stanley Richard Keeley in 1971 and went on to have two sons together: Kurtis Max Keeley, and Ryan Franklin Keeley. She would then go on to teach grade school and junior high in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Moore.

Melinda was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when she was 30 years old, but this did not slow her down. Always remaining active, she was craftsy with her hands, an aerobics instructor, an avid dancer, and enjoyed watching her sons play sports. She loved to travel, spend time, and dance with her long term partner William “Bill” Hugh Walker. In 1997 Melinda graduated with a Masters degree in Counseling from the University of Central Oklahoma with a 4.0 GPA. She would work as a counselor in Shawnee, and then Norman North High School helping special needs young adults for the remainder of her career. After retirement, Melinda enjoyed doing arts and crafts, watching OU sports, and keeping up with her sons, family, and friends. Her favorite activity was making hand crafted cards that she would send to friends and family for all special occasions.

Melinda is survived by her adoring sons Kurt and Ryan Keeley of Norman; Father of her children Stan Keeley; sister-in-law Lesley LaRue McElroy of Norman, OK; nephews and nieces Lacey McElroy and Louis William Krivanek III, Jaimie McElroy and Gene O. Pierce II, Jill McElroy and Erica Anderson; grandnieces and nephews Logan and Liam Krivanek, Oliver, Payton, and Lainey Pierce; stepsisters Sue Vaughn Harper and Jane Ellen Weaver and their families.

Melinda was preceded in death by her parents Pete and Lucy McElroy; her brother Larry Michael “Mac” McElroy; her long term partner Bill Walker; and her stepfather Calvin Barton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Rheumatology Research Foundation at 2200 Lake Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319; rheumresearch.org

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, February 10th at Southwind Hills, 468 SW 24th Ave in Goldsby, OK.