Dean Dexter Keating

Dean Dexter Keating, age 78, a devoted husband, father and friend departed this transitory life on August 29, 2009. Dean was born in the farming and ranching community of Atkinson, NE on February 2, 1931, the third child of Ralph Francis Keating and Opal Dexter Keating. Dean lost his father at age 12, yet never lost his Faith or desire to excel in pursuit of life’s goals. He graduated Valedictorian from Atkinson High School and attended the University of Colorado on a track scholarship as a sprinter and pole-vaulter. During his years as a Colorado Buffalo, Dean developed a love of mountaineering and climbed Long’s Peak, the highest peak in Colorado’s Front Range, on four occasions. While at CU, he met and married Isabelle Snelling of Gulfport, MS. In 1952, Dean and Isabelle moved to Gulfport to live and raise their family. Dean became an insurance agent with Lamar Life Insurance Company in 1954 and commenced a successful career in the insurance industry that spanned over five decades. Dean founded the highly respected multi-lines, Keating Insurance Agency, located in Gulfport, MS. Today his wife, Isabelle and son-in-law, Terry Helms, continue to manage and grow the insurance business to which Dean dedicated his life. In his prime, Dean’s professional accomplishments as a life insurance agent in South Mississippi were unrivaled. A graduate and president of his class at Southern Methodist University Institute of Insurance and Marketing, sponsored by the Life Underwriters Training Council, Dean set sales achievement standards for several decades. He consistently qualified for the “Million Dollar Round Table” award by the National Life Underwriters Association, the National Quality Award for client retention and National Sales Achievement Award for professionalism and productivity. In 1989 he was recognized by Lamar Life Insurance Company as being one of the top producers and professionals in the company’s history by presentation of the L.Q.C. Lamar Award. Dean served his profession as Vice-President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Life Underwriters Association. He always endeavored to conduct his affairs with integrity. He earned the LUTCF professional designation in his efforts to provide and maintain the highest quality service to his valued clients. He was the epitome of a self-made man. Being a true Irishman, Dean was a founding and charter member of the Hibernia Marching Society of Mississippi, Inc. and served as President for two years, as well as numerous years on its Board of Directors. Much of the tradition and protocol for the Society was created and implemented under Dean’s guidance. Today, the Hibernia Marching Society provides one of the Southeast’s top 20 tourism events with its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Biloxi. In 1986, the Society honored Dean by selecting him as Grand Marshal, an honor which he deeply cherished. He also received the Golden Shamrock, the highest honor awarded by HMS for his many contributions to the Society. He considered all Hibernians his kindred spirit. Dean enjoyed friendships and memberships in the Gulfport Yacht Club, Biloxi Yacht Club, Great Southern Club, Les Cavaliers and Krewe of Neptune. Dean never met a stranger. If you were a friend or client, you probably received a telephone call from Dean on your birthday. Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph Francis Keating and Opal Dexter Keating, sister, Phyllis K. Duvall, and brother, Keith O. Keating. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Isabelle S. Keating and one son and two daughters, Hugh D. Keating (Donna) of Gulfport, MS, Angela K. Helms (Terry) of Gulfport, MS and Florence K. Barbour (Steve) of Atlanta, GA. Dean leaves a legacy of seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter; Erin Whitaker (Jeff) of Ponte Vedra, FL, Cpl. Hugh D. Keating, Jr. (USMC, Res.), Daniel Dexter Keating, Keating C. Helms, Kevin M. Helms, Kennedy M. Helms, and Lcpl. Justin R. Churchwell (USMC) and great granddaughter, Isabelle Grace Whitaker. Visitation will be at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 11322 E. Taylor Road, Gulfport, MS from 12 to 2 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. Funeral service will immediately follow at 2 PM. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Katrina Memorial Fund, 11322, E. Taylor Road, Gulfport, MS 39503. An Online obituary may be viewed and a guestbook signed at www.bradford-okeefe.com