Benjamin “ Ben” Nikowa Keel passed away on June 4, 2023, after a long, hard-fought battle with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Ben was born September 16, 1978 to Mary Kay Scaggs and Franklin Donald Keel in Shawnee, OK. He graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1997. After graduation, Ben served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Quezon City, Philippines. He married April Dawn Parkinson on January 20, 2001. Ben attended the University of Oklahoma and East Central University and double-majored in Native American Studies and Political Science. He spent his professional career hoping to make our world a better and more just place. Ben was a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation. He worked as the Executive Director for the White House Council for Native American Affairs working closely with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, tribal leaders, administration, and the President in coordinating outreach and policy to Native American tribes and communities. Ben also served in a consultant role at the National Congress of American Indians and worked as a political advisor on the 2016 presidential election, as well as other national, state, and local campaigns. Ben most recently served as a board member with the Native American Working Group for the Atlanta Braves and was honored with a World Series Championship ring.
Ben was preceded in death by beloved grandparents, Mary Virginia Ruth, Delby Ray Scaggs, Wayne Lee Brown, Hilda Bessie Murphy, and Freeman Edmond Keel; his dear cousins Scott Alexander, Zachary Austin Keel, Tracey Taliaferro, and many other precious great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and loved ones.
Ben is survived by his wife, April Dawn Parkinson; his children: Silas Holden Keel, Zachary Nikowa Keel, Lydia Marie Keel, and Micah Benjamin Keel, all of the home; his parents Mary Kay Scaggs, Franklin Donald Keel, and Keith Russell Brown; his sisters: Edie Robins, Amy Brown (Andrew), Julie Keel, Kelly Cabreros (Ellison), and Laura Brown; his grandmother, Clarice Estelle Oplinger Brown; his parents-in-law Lana and Tom Parkinson; his brothers-in-law, David Parkinson (Chanelle) and Jason Smith (Stacy); his sisters-in law, Stacy Hanson (Dirk), Kama Woods (Phillip), and countless cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Graveside services will be held 1:00pm on Friday, June 16 at Condon Grove Cemetery, Milburn, OK . A second memorial service for Ben will be held 10:00am, Saturday, June 17, at 1506 West Imhoff Road, Norman, OK.
