PAUL LINCOLN KEYES

1938-2021

Paul L. Keyes of Longboat Key, Florida passed away on February 15, 2021 at the age of 83. He was born February 12, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Earth Sciences. After college his career in the oil industry began with Humble Oil, later Exxon, where he rose to his final role at Exxon as the Chief Geologist and Geologic Manager for the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic basin where he was involved in the development of the oil fields in Prudhoe Bay Alaska and was instrumental in the building of the Alaska pipeline. He then went on to become the Vice President of Exploration for Forest Oil Company in Denver, Colorado. After leaving Forest Oil Paul began a consulting business and worked with numerous companies including Pennzoil Oil, EEX, University of South Carolina, and PanAfrican Energy, eventually becoming the President and CEO of PanOcean Energy where he built a 150 mile pipeline from PanOcean’s oil fields in Gabon, Africa through the dense jungles to the coastline ports, an unparalleled feat of engineering.

Paul retired in 2007 and settled permanently in Longboat Key. Throughout his life, Paul was an avid Golfer, enjoyed many sporting activities and hobbies and especially loved to fish. His love of the water and fishing inspired his purchase and involvement in the Keyes Marina on Anna Maria Island which is now run by three of his sons; Jim, Joe, and Jon.

Paul is predeceased by his parents, George Keyes and Evelyn Keyes and his brother Peter Keyes.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sally Ray (Broussard) of 60 years, his sister Barbara (Keyes) Stanley, husband Kenneth Stanley, his six sons and their wives, Timothy Paul (Margaret Poltorak), James Patrick (Julie Oppie), Michael John (Diana Baldwin), Paul Joseph (Cindy), William Matthew (Tammy Henning) and Jonathan Andrew; his grandchildren Dustin, Alec, Christian, Felicia, Michael, Megan; and his great grandchildren, Aiden, Avery, Ainslee, and Ethan; along with many cousins and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228 at a date to be determined. Internment will follow the service at the Memorial Garden at St. Mary’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Keyes Family Foundation; a nonprofit foundation established by Paul and Sally to give back to local communities:

The Keyes Family Foundation

5941 Gulf of Mexico Drive Longboat Key, FL 34228