Claude Richard Mckeehan

Claude Richard Mckeehan of Redlands, California, passed in peace at the age of 90 on Friday August 6, 2021. Born May 29, 1931 in City of Wasco, Kern County, California to Claude and Kathleen McKeehan, he was one of six children. he had five sisters, Frankie, Hilda, Sandy, Janel and Lois.
Claude grew up in the cities of Pond and Fountain Valley, California. A graduate of Garden Grove High School, class of 1949, he attended Santa Ana College studying Agriculture until joining the United States Army serving until 1952. Then Claude began his career as a Civil Engineer working on many land development construction projects with one of the special one's being the Sun Lakes Development in Banning, California which is where he and Gloria initially retired. They ultimately moved to Redlands, California in 1999. An avid farmer, Claude enjoyed growing citrus on his grove in Redlands and he was the President of the Sunkist/Foothill Groves Packing House for several years. His home-grown tomatoes have been a family favorite for many years. Claude is survived by his wife of 67 years, Gloria Jean McKeehan of Redlands; loving father of Mark and the late Julie McKeehan Rhodes (Neil). Proud grandfather of Rochelle McKeehan, Stephen Hill, Matthew McKeehan, Alex Rhodes, Michael Rhodes, Mick Rhodes and Nathaniel Rhodes. Great-grandfather of Makayla, Aiden, Lily Christian, Brenden and Rosalie. Further survived by nephews David Hall, Brian Work and Gary Work; brother-in-law Joe McPhail and many friends. Claude or CR or Dick are all names that he went by. He will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, farmer of citrus and tomatoes, humorist and friend. A viewing will be held at Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Ave., Redlands, CA on Saturday August 21 from 8:30am-9:30am. Graveside services will follow at 10:00am at Hillside Memorial Park, 1540 Alessandro Road, Redlands, CA., Block 10, Lot 22