Leonard Benton McKeehan Jr.

On the morning of March 25, 2024, Leonard Benton McKeehan Jr., of Knoxville TN, passed away peacefully at the age of 86. Leonard was the eldest son of Benton and Dorothy McKeehan. In his youth, he was active in Boy Scouts and earned the Eagle rank. Leonard graduated from Fulton High School in 1956 and received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville in 1961. While in college and in later years, he was an active member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduating college, he served with the Air National Guard during the Berlin crisis. His business career started in cost accounting with Lane Furniture company in 1963. Later, he worked for Kingsport Press/Arcata National. In 1975, Leonard and his family returned to Knoxville where he started his own business, Tennessee Forms, which he ran for forty plus years with the assistance of his sister-in-law Kitty Sharp. He was very involved with the Knoxville Beautification Board and other civic activities. Leonard loved classic sports cars, restoring an Austin-Healey to prize-winning condition. He also sanded, painted, and fussed over boats, some of which even spent time in the water. One of his favorite achievements was a houseboat he and his wife Betty built in the front yard of their West Hills home. He was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, as an informal conversationalist in the vestibule, and officially as treasurer and elder. Leonard is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Sharp McKeehan, his daughters Amy Len McKeehan and Anne McKeehan Dickerson (John), and grandchildren, Brice and Nan Dickerson. He is also survived by two brothers, Burr (Sue) and Robert (Susan), and many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Leonard’s compassionate caregivers at CADES of Concord United Methodist Church, Morning Pointe of Knoxville, and The Nursing Center at Little Creek. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 3:00 p.m., reception to follow. In Lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Volunteer Ministry Center, Habitat for Humanity, or a charity of your choice.

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Leonard Benton McKeehan Jr.

March 25, 2024