Paul Kenneth Kieffer

Paul “Kenneth” Kieffer, 74, of Norman, OK went to his heavenly home on March 13, 2023. Kenneth was born January 27, 1949, in Skagg City, Oklahoma and was the youngest of five children of Louie “Shug” Kieffer and Beatrice Lillian Kieffer (Holt). Kenneth grew up in Skagg City and Tecumseh and attended Tecumseh schools. Kenneth was preceded in death by his mother and father, three brothers: Clifford Kieffer, Jerry Kieffer, and Donald Kieffer, and one sister, Sue Nickel.

Kenneth enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968 and served in Vietnam as a rifleman in infantry from 1968-70. Although Kenneth never talked much about his time in Vietnam, being a United States Marine was part of his identity and his service to his country was one of the things he was most proud of. Oorah!

In the 1970’s, Kenneth worked at Shawnee Printing and Griffin Memorial Hospital before beginning a long civilian career at Tinker Air Force Base. Kenneth was a supervisor for many years and continued his education during his years of employment at TAFB. Kenneth was section chief over the B1 planes when he retired in 2008, ending his 30+ years of civil service. Kenneth celebrated many professional achievements during his career, but his greatest achievement was the lifelong friends and relationships he made during his employment.

Kenneth’s greatest love in his life was his family. Kenneth had two children from his first marriage, Joshua Paul Kieffer and Jessica Jeanene Kieffer. Kenneth married Joi Kae Kieffer on December 31, 1999, in New Orleans, LA. He was the stepfather to Leslie Allen and the grandfather to Jonas Allen, Noah Allen, and Avary Allen. Kenneth was a loving husband, a doting father, and was the best “Grin-Grin” to the grandkids. He loved his family fiercely and a day never went by without an “I love you,” from Dad.

Kenneth spent his retirement doing the things he loved: traveling with his wife Joi, reading, walking his beloved Scottish terrier Roxy, and volunteering his time. Kenneth volunteered with multiple organizations helping veterans with disability claims for the last eight years.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Joi of Norman, OK; his children Joshua Kieffer of Norman, Jessica Kieffer and Kyle Baughman of Moore; and Leslie and August Allen of Midwest City and his grandchildren: Jonas Allen, Noah Allen, and Avary Allen, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Kenneth was a man of God and lived his life unapologetically always for Jesus. His faith carried him through war, through loss and struggle, through raising a teenage daughter, through three battles with cancer, and ultimately to his higher home. Kenneth was the most selfless person, and anyone who knows him would agree. His heart was big and full of kindness, a love that is irreplaceable. These few words would never adequately describe the man Kenneth was or how profoundly he lived his life. His life was so much more. It was full of wisdom, education, faith, love, virtue, strength, and terrible dancing-and let us not forget an abundance of “dad jokes.” Kenneth’s family and friends will always remember him for his unconditional love, his carefree demeanor, his contagious laughter, and his utterly terrible personal rendition of “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

Services for Kenneth will be graveside Monday, March 20th at 2:00 at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Norman, OK under the direction of Tribute Memorial Care and officiated by Reverend Ken Kerbo. Pallbearers will be August Allen, Jonas Allen, Noah Allen, Kyle Baughman, Jeff Kieffer, Jay Kieffer, and Cliff Kieffer.