John Basil James Keymer
Service: 11 a.m. Friday, May 5, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home, with interment at Western Grove Cemetery; Visitation: 10-11 a.m. Friday, May 5, at the funeral home.
John Basil James Keymer, age 89, of Harrison, passed away at Mount Vista Nursing and Rehab on Sunday April 30 (2017).
He was born on Dec. 21, 1927, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of John and Margaret (Parks) Keymer.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of their eight children, Gwendoline (Bell) Keymer, and his brothers, Graham T. Keymer and Douglas “Bill” Keymer.
John is survived by his wife of 17 years, Juanita (Dewbre) Keymer, of the home; his five sons and three daughters, Bill and Kerry Keymer, of Harrison, Gerry and Tom Parra, of Georgetown, California, Darlene and Steve Jameson, of Garden Valley, California, Gary and Joyce Keymer, of Harrison, Graham and Beverly Keymer, of Pyatt, Bo and Karen Keymer, of Harrison, Susie and Mark Morton, of Hisperia, California, and Ronnie and Cheryl Keymer, of Western Grove,; two stepsons and two step-daughters, Diane and Robert Copley, of Creston, Ohio, Bob and Donna Caughron, of Harrison, Johnny and Jackie Dewbre, of Olney, Texas, and Christy and Richard Fox, of Texas; 39 grandchildren; 81 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
John's life began in Canada, where as a young man he enjoyed playing hockey as a goalie and loved bird and duck hunting. He supported his young family by delivering milk using a horse-drawn wagon and had shared many stories of this over the years. After moving to southern California, he enjoyed deep sea fishing and coaching little league baseball.
After working 18 years at Southern California Edison as a serviceman, John moved with his family to Harrison in 1978, where he built their log home and went to work at Claridge Products where he took pride serving as union steward and working there until he retired.
John was a supportive father and grandfather who loved and was loved by his large family. He enjoyed spending time with them and being involved in their many activities. He enjoyed watching sports on television with his wife Juanita, while little guy snuggled in his lap. John loved the Lord and attended Eagle Heights Baptist Church.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5, at Roller Christeson Funeral Home, with Brother Dennis Sisco officiating; visitation will be 1 hour prior to service.
Interment will be at Western Grove Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Bill Keymer, Gary Keymer, Graham Keymer, Bo Keymer, Ronnie Keymer, Johnny Dewbre, Bob Caughron, Tom Parra and Steve Jameson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Vista Rehab and Health, 202 Tims, Harrison, AR 72601 or Hillcrest Home, 1111 Maplewood Road, Harrison, AR 72601.
Sign the online guestbook at rollerfuneralhomes.com/harrison .
