BELLA VISTA — Fred Albert Keys,

age 92, of Bella Vista, passed away at his home on October 18, 2021, after living a long, full life.

Fred was born on June 13, 1929, in Galena, Kan., to the union of Charles Keys and Vera Mae ( Reed) Keys. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy. After honorable discharge, he married Margaret Moreno in Joplin, Mo., in 1950 and moved to Tulsa, Okla., where he graduated from the University of Tulsa in the Top 10 of his class with a Bachelors Degree in Business.

Fred and Margaret had five children, Sandra, Michael, Penny, Peter, and Phillip.

After graduation, Fred worked at Babcock and Wilcox as a District Sales Manager until he retired in 1979. He then joined Vincent Supply until the mid-1980s.

Fred was active in sports. In his youth, he won a Golden Gloves Boxing Competition. He also was very instrumental in promoting handball in Tulsa, Okla., at the YMCA where he won several tournaments in the Masters, State, and Regional matches. Fred was very active in building up the Columbus, Kan., Sports Hall of Fame. He was also a big fan of OU football. He also enjoyed tube float trips with the family down in the Elk River. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Joplin, Mo.

He was always a busy man with lots of vision. As a good friend once said, “There will never be another Fred”.

Fred is survived by one daughter, Sandra Croswell (husband, Art) of Bella Vista; two sons, Michael Keys (girlfriend, Janie) of Bella Vista, and Peter Keys of Bella Vista; as well as three grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; one daughter, Penny Walker; one son, Phillip Keys; and one brother, Ted Keys.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Hillcrest Cemetery of Galena, Kan. Father J. Friedel will serve as the officiant. Online condolences may be expressed at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com .