Curtis Keesee

Curtis "Beatle" Keesee of Delta, son of the late Lawrence and Vivian McDaniel Keesee, was born June 8, 1948, in Cape Girardeau and departed his life Monday July 24, 2023, surrounded by family at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at the age of 75 years.

He was of the Baptist faith and a former riverboat engineer. Beatle was an avid card player and enjoyed the competition and socializing at shooting matches. He was always ready for a chat and never met a stranger.

He left a legacy of love, stories and tall tales. His favorite tall tale to tell was "the time a bear ate his belt buckle". He told this to many new friends, who bought it hook, line and sinker. At the end of the story everyone would be laughing because they couldn't believe they fell for it. He had a knack for bringing a smile to the face of everyone he met, and he cared deeply for his friends and family.

He met the love of his life, Beverly Kay Darby, at the SEMO District Fair, where Kay was working in her senior class stand. On April 25, 1970, they were united in marriage. She survives of the home in Delta.

Besides his wife, survivors include two sons, Travis (Diane) Keesee of Delta, and Brandon (Toni) Keesee of Kelso, Missouri; two brothers, Lawrence (Mary Ann) Keesee of Conway, Arkansas, and Michael (Kay) Keesee of Jackson; three sisters, Deloris Bond of Scott City, Kay (Bud) Marshall of Jackson and Paula (Pat) Suzuki of Cape Girardeau; two grandchildren, Brent (Amber) Whittington and Kaylee Keesee; three great-grandchildren, Caiden Shannon, Billy Whittington and Emmett Whittington; and other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Brent Alan, and three brothers, Bob, Bill and Donald Keesee.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee, Missouri.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 28, at the funeral home, with Deacon Mark Kiblinger officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery near Arbor.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.