Mr. Keith Leroy Dedmon, after 52 years, transitioned from labor to rest on Sunday morning, August 26, 2012 from Muskogee. Better known to family and friends as "Keithy," Mr. Dedmon was born on March 9,1960 in Muskogee, the son of Rudolph and Dorothy [Stanford] Dedmon. He was the third of six children born to this union.

Keith attended Muskogee Public Schools and graduated from Muskogee High School with the Class of 1978. In 1982, he married the love of his life, Cathy "Liz" Evans. Their love produced two children, Lewis Jaye and Michelle Lynn.

Keith was a devoted father and loved his children dearly. He often stated, "family is number one, family is everything and you never let anything come between us." On July 17, 2012, he was blessed with his very first grandchild, James Israel. Unfortunately, he never got the chance to see him in person.

At an impressionable age, Keith professed his belief in Jesus Christ and served the Lord diligently. He often sought the Lord for wisdom, clarity and knowledge. He was a faithful member of First Assembly of God in Muskogee for nearly 16 years. He had a love for the Lord, the bass guitar and karate, and he kept Kentucky Fried Chicken in business. He loved Dr. Pepper and discovering new restaurants as well as having a fondness for reading. Keithy dreamed riches were right around the corner with his many business adventures. He loved trying to crack jokes and he loved to laugh.

Keith was a dedicated worker at C.R. Anthony's in Muskogee for nearly 20 years until they closed. He worked at Price Mart before they closed and began working for Homeland, where he remained loyal until his demise. He had a strong belief that you weren't a man if you didn't work and exemplified that daily by going to work even with his illness. Although he was prohibited from driving, he either walked, rode his bike or used public transportation. He believed in showing up for work.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his devoted son, Lewis J. Dedmon, Muskogee; a loving daughter, Michelle Lynn Dedmon and her son, James Israel Moore, Oklahoma City; two foster sons he helped raise, Antonio James Evans, Austin, Texas and Timothy Lee Thomas, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; a dear friend for life, Cathy Evans Griffin; his siblings, Veronica Myles, Tulsa, Donald and Katie Stanford, Rudolph Dedmon, Jr., and Lisa Dedmon, all of Muskogee, Linda Johnson, Edmond, Oklahoma, and Kathy Walker, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and a caravan of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Tenita Dedmon-Betts

The Hour of Remembrance for Keith will be on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. in the Timothy Baptist Church. Pastor Kelly Payne is the gracious host and Pastor Sedell Campbell will officiate. Burial will follow in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery.

You may visit Mr. Dedmon as he slumbers in peaceful repose at the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc.,  on Friday from 10 AM until 6 PM.  Friends may convey condolences and sign the online register at www.biglowfunerals.com.