James Arthur Keith

Funeral service for James Arthur "Coach" Keith will be 10 a.m., Fri., Dec. 9, at First Baptist Church of Oologah with Rev. Larry Downum officiating. Visitation will be held at Turner Funeral Home, Geary, OK Fri. 2-4 p.m., and a graveside service will be held at 4:30 p.m. at Geary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory, Claremore, Thurs. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

Coach died Mon., Dec. 5, 2011, at Jane Phillips Nowata Health Center at the age of 84.

The son of James Buryn and Ruth (Arthur) Keith was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Medford, OK. Coach graduated from Geary High School in 1945. On August 8, 1948, Coach married Sarah Jorene Coble. He later attended the University of Oklahoma from 1945-51, where he attained his Bachelor's Degree. Coach served in the U.S. Army where he received an honorable discharge. He later attained his Master's Degree in Education from Southwester State University. Coach was a Mason for 53 years, and a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association for 38 years. He coached for 38 years in Sayre, Elk City, Custer, Oologah, and Claremore. The movie "Believe in Me" was inspired by his early career. The movie is based on the 1974 book, "Brief Garland: Ponytails, Basketball and Nothing but Net," written by the late Harold Keith, Jim's uncle. In 1986 he retired on Oologah Lake where he spent his later years with his wife of 61 years.

Coach is preceded in death by his wife, Sara Jorene Keith in 2009; his parents; and brother, Robert Keith.

He is survived by his son, James Harold Keith and wife, Deb; and daughter, Jeri Solberg and husband, Rusty; and grandchildren: James Allen Keith, V. Jorene Solberg, and James B. Solberg.