Clifford Eugene Keegan, 81, of Sweet Home passed away Thursday of a stroke at the Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House. He was born in Galesburg, Illinois to Clifford Andrew and Edna Susan (Higgins) Keegan.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 through 1955 and in the inactive reserves until 1960 achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After his discharge, he attended St. Louis University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in radiology technique. Following graduation in 1959, he married, and then taught anatomy, physiology and radiology technique at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

Clifford moved to Portland in 1960 and worked briefly in radiology, and then found more challenge and opportunity as an insurance agent. He sold life insurance for a time, and then purchased an Independent Insurance Agency. He later sold the agency and moved to San Diego to escape the rain in 1987. He taught Bible study classes in San Diego and in Sweet Home since his return to Oregon in 2001.

He was a member of the Elks and Lions Clubs and the National Rifle Association. His hobbies were boating, bowling, camping with family, reading, and apologetics.

Clifford is survived by: his wife of 54 years, Pauline Keegan of Sweet Home; sons Kevin Keegan of Molalla and Brian Keegan of Monterey, California; daughter Tara Dixson of Albany; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jack.

A public viewing is planned for 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 3, followed by a Rosary service at 10:15 a.m., and a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Sweet Home. Graveside service with military honors will take place the same day at 1:30 p.m., at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Clifford’s name to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice, 4600 Evergreen Place, S.E., Albany, Oregon 97322.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.