Obituary for Doris Keirn

Doris Keirn

(October 13, 1920 – January 12, 2016)

Doris Young Keirn was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma, on October 13, 1920, the daughter of Ralph M. Young and Eathel J. (Weber) Young. Doris died in the city of her birth on January 12, 2016, at the age of 95 years. Doris was raised in Blackwell graduating from Blackwell High School with the class of 1939. She attended Northern Oklahoma Jr. College. She then married William J. Keirn and they resided in Coffeyville, Kansas. Of this marriage three sons were born, Marc, Richard Duane, and R. Scott. During her late teenage years she worked in the law office of H.S. Gurley where, she reported, she learned valuable life lessons that directed her in her business endeavors and in helping those in need. She later moved to California where she worked in gift shops as a sales person and as a manager, primarily in Torrance, CA. She also managed gift shops on cruise ships during the cruise season. She moved back to Blackwell around 1987 to help take care of her mother, giving up her gift shop profession. Doris loved golf, bowling, and playing bridge. She talked of playing golf at the course north of Blackwell on what is now “O” Street. The last few years of her life she looked forward to her weekly bridge game with her friends. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Blackwell.

Doris was constantly helping others, especially children, that she believed to be in need of a parent or mentor. Elizabeth Maxwell of Nashville was one of those persons who refers to Doris as “Aunt Doris”. Another is Queyn Nguyen of Orange County, California, who called her “Grandmother”. She helped numerous others. Along with her loving concern for others, she was never afraid to address someone with a controlled voice, in the role of a sergeant, if she believed it was needed.

She is survived by her son Marc Keirn of Pensacola, FL, a son Richard Duane Keirn, of Henderson, NV, and a grandson, Scott, (Scotty), the son of Richard. Scotty is now in high school and was the center of her life since his birth, making many trips to Nevada to see him and his father. Doris was always ready to relate Scotty’s many accomplishments, but not before she asked about your children or grandchildren. Anyone who knew Doris, will not soon forget her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Bernadine Whelan; a brother, Philip Young; and her son, R. Scott Keirn.