Wayne Taylor Keton

Wayne Taylor Keton, loving husband of 54 years, father of three beautiful daughters, super sleuth investigator, and trailblazing hall of fame softball coach, died peacefully on August 2, 2022 at his home in Jonesboro.

It would be difficult to describe Taylor’s life as anything but perfect. Taylor graduated from Swifton High School in 1965, after four years of burning up the basketball court as the Pirate’s star point guard and implementing sweeping policy change as student body president. After graduation, Taylor attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 1970. During his time on the hill, he was lucky enough to marry his high school sweetheart, Jeanie, in 1968. After college, Taylor served honorably in the U.S. Army where he was awarded a National Defense Service Medal for Marksmanship. Upon discharge from the Army, Taylor moved to Jonesboro with his family and began working for State Farm Insurance Company. Nicknaming himself “Columbo,” Taylor finished his career with State Farm as an arson investigator, handling hundreds of cases and even solving a cold case homicide.

Taylor was a lifelong sports enthusiast. Whether it was shooting pool on Dickson Street or slamming aces in the Three Oaks Tennis League, Taylor gave his all to every sport he played. Although he never met a game he did not love, his passion for softball eclipsed them all. A member of the Arkansas Women’s Softball Hall of Fame, Taylor is a coaching legend who led the first Jonesboro team to a state championship in 1986. After many other state tournament appearances, his 1991 team made it to the World Tournament in Cocoa Beach, FL, placing seventh overall and receiving the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award. Taylor’s tireless efforts to improve and increase access to girls’ sports in Northeast Arkansas will be felt for generations.

Taylor loved spending time with his family. He helped multiple grandkids learn to swim and to catch. He bought the best Nerf and pellet guns ever. He served as the percussionist during family sing-alongs, where he played a mean set of spoons. He loved to dance with his wife and play cards with his friends. While we all mourn his loss, fish from the Gulf of Mexico to the White River are swimming a little bit easier now. Two animals that will sorely miss him are Red Wolves and Razorbacks, for neither has had so loyal a fan as Taylor Keton.

Taylor is survived by three daughters, Brooke Keton Briske (Kevin) of Germantown, Amy Keton of Jonesboro, and Kelly Keton Ward (Seth) of Little Rock, and his loving wife of 54 years, Jeanie Keton. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jackson and Jake Briske of Germantown, Seth Ward IV of Little Rock, and Morgan Grissom of Jonesboro as well as two sisters, Erma Bailey of Cabot and Peggy Alexander, of Jonesboro. He was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Norraine Keton of Swifton, and his brother, Byron “Butch” Keton of Swifton. Although Taylor’s wife, girls (daughters and players), sisters, grandchildren and friends will never stop missing him, they realize how lucky they are to have had such a wonderful husband, father, brother, popa, friend and coach.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wayne Taylor Keton Memorial Softball Scholarship at https://gofund.me/f2107644.