Alexander M. Keith

Alex M. Keith died on Sunday, June 29, 2025 after a fast-moving and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 74 years old at the time of his death, and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He leaves a legacy of family love strongly felt by all those privileged to have been part of his life. Alex, known to many by his childhood nickname, Sandy, was born in Little Rock, AR to Alex M. Keith, Jr. and Leah Dungan Keith. "Little Sandy," he was called, so as not to be confused with his father, who was also nicknamed Sandy. Alex grew up in Little Rock with his parents and two sisters. Educated in Catholic elementary and middle school, Alex completed high school at Cascia Hall Preparatory School, in Tulsa, OK. From there he went on to receive an undergraduate college degree from Westminster College in Fulton, MO and earned a masters degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. It was during his college years that Alex met Ginny Lee Gillespie, known as Lee. Shortly after they met, he committed to her that she could take this relationship as far as she wanted, and the pair celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in late May of this year, only weeks prior to his death. Alex is survived not only by Lee, but by their two daughters, Frances Nell Pounder (married to Daniel Pounder), and Anna Rose Keith. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Leah, Alex and Katie Pounder, all of whom live with their parents just outside Washington D.C. Alex is also survived by two sisters, Frances Keith Hanafin of McLean, VA, and Leah Thompson Keith of New York, NY. When he was fresh out of business school, Alex chose the energy industry and made a career at Amoco Oil. He remained with the company for 30 years, advancing steadily as he moved his young family around the country and overseas, from Chicago to Baltimore to Houston to London to Tulsa. Alex remained with Amoco as it merged with British Petroleum, becoming BP Amoco. Even as he settled his family in Tulsa, Alex continued traveling to various countries around the world, where he was dispatched to perform his job. He retired from BP Amoco just as it was time to tend to the failing health of both his and Lee's parents, as well as to welcome their first grandchild. Two more grandchildren followed. With this next chapter in his life, Alex demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to his family, that has persisted throughout his life. Along with this, he had an extraordinary commitment to his friendships. Annual fishing trips, golf trips, and visits with his college friends were all an opportunity to celebrate and nurture deep and abiding friendships. Alex's friends crossed all reaches of his life: from childhood to high school to college to his professional life. Commitments ran deep, and he had a remarkable knack for remembering and reaching out to all of his friends, especially when a friend was in need. As was typical of Alex, as his illness became known, he declined thoughts of tributes or legacy gifts in his honor. Instead, he asked only for kind thoughts and for loving care for his family, who would surely be affected by his death. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift or contribution of time in his honor to a charitable effort that touches your heart. Cremation has been performed, and a funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church at 10am on Friday, August 1st.

Alexander M. Keith

May 4, 1951 - June 29, 2025