Harold Nesbitt

Harold Nesbitt "Neb" or "Hank" Keeton, III, 61, of Phoenix/Prescott. Neb's life on earth ended early Saturday morning, January 7, 2012 in a car accident just outside Prescott, Arizona. Hank was a rarity in these parts -- he was born in Phoenix and lived here his entire life except for his college years when he attended Texas Christian University. He is the son of Neb and Nelwyn Keeton and the younger brother of Vince Keeton, all deceased. He is a husband, a father, a grandfather, an uncle, a friend and a healer to many. Arizonans will fondly recall the name "Neb" from Neb's Market, one of the more successful independent grocery stores operating in Arizona from 1946 to 1993. At 13, Neb started working at the family store and remained there until 1993. He's spent the last 18+ years at CC Pollen, a local company that produces and sells bee pollen and bee products, helping thousands of people and animals with his knowledge of nutrition, the immune system and the benefits of the bee hive. Family would joke that when you saw Hank, he told you about the birds and the bees. Neb was schooled locally at Hopi Elementary School and Arcadia High School and to this day remains friends with many of his childhood buddies. He played baseball and football in High School and later played baseball at Phoenix College. He married Debbie Lange at 23 and has 2 adult children with her - Sunny Karassik, 36, and Neb Keeton, 34. His best friend and soul mate is Lynette McCain, who he spent the past 20+ years wooing, charming and loving. He has a stepson, Marc McCain, 6 beautiful grandkids and 1 on the way - Noah, Lucas, Charlize, Donovan, Celia, Juliette, and ?. He will always be "Papa" to his grandkids. Neb was a true sports fanatic. Neb's family are original Suns season ticket holders and Hank could be seen in the front row over the last 40+ years cheering on the Suns and razzing the officials. He was planning a Super Bowl party in his new "man room" and was so excited to show off his new place and fill his friends with food, a few cold ones and lots of warmth. He was a Red Sox fanatic and finally got his "ring" when the BoSox won the title in 2004. He was a walking sports almanac and an expert on Arizona State University sports. His perfect spiral nerf tosses from the couch across the living room to his grandkids were legendary although maddening to Lynette. His roof top cannon balls into the pool and his extreme skiing outings (before there was "extreme" sports) made him the coolest, and perhaps craziest, dad in town. Hank lived life with passion and despite being dealt a few bad hands, rarely complained or put his troubles on others. Neb was more interested to know how you were doing than "boring" you with details of his life. He loved Arizona, the outdoors, sports, good food and drink and being a true man's man. He loved to travel and explore and could give you directions to any outpost in Arizona without blinking an eye. Neb was a self taught master chef. Whether it was a thick filet, smothered pork chops, barbeque ribs, garlic-butter mashed potatoes or the biggest pot of chicken, vegetable or bean soup you've ever seen, Hank wouldn't let you leave his home until you were stuffed. He'd show up unannounced at a sick family member's doorstep with a hearty dish. His reward was hearing you liked it and knowing you didn't have to worry about food for a few days. He put everyone else's health and well being before his - almost to a fault. The last several years, Hank spent nearly every spare moment enjoying his and Lynette's Prescott retreat and remodeling it into a home the family and kids could enjoy. He was consumed with prepping the home for the Super Bowl party and lining up friends to watch the big game. He loved Prescott, the beautiful terrain, the laid back people and all his favorite spots - Rosa's, Cuppers, Bill's Pizza and Chi's Chinese Restaurant. "We love Hank" is the phrase heard most from those learning he was missing. He will be missed by many who relied on his support, his warmth and sometimes zany behavior. The family thanks everyone for their support and efforts. Special thanks to Officer Lance White of the Prescott Police Department, Sergeant Greg Zatcoff of DPS, State Sen. Steve Pierce and Christy of Search and Rescue. Without these people, Hank may still be missing. The family is forever indebted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Search and Rescue www.azstar.org. Memorial services will be held at 1PM, Thursday, January 19, 2012, Hansen Desert Hills Chapel, 6500 E. Bell Rd., Scottsdale, AZ.

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