Karen Rae Keck, 77, of Owasso, left to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 8:22 a.m. at her home. She was born on March 21, 1948 at Memorial Hospital in Woodward, OK. She was the eldest of three children, all daughters, born to Thomas Russell Keck and Harriett Gertrude Aldrich Keck.
Karen graduated from Burgess High School in El Paso, TX in 1964 before attending University of Texas at El Paso and attaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and obtaining a lifetime teaching license. She later obtained an accounting certificate before attending law school at LaVerne University, graduating in 1985. She was admitted to practice law in California in
1986. She was one of approximately 500 attorneys who achieved the status of Workers Compensation Specialist. She continued to practice law until she retired in 2004 as the Senior Workers Compensation Attorney for the Los Angeles office of Hartford Insurance Company.
Karen met John Pittman, her first husband and father of her two children, while she was attending High School and he was serving in the Army. They married on August 1, 1967 while she was attending college and he continued his Army service in Germany until February 1969, shortly before her college graduation. They moved to Southern California where they established their home and had two sons, Jeffrey Lynn Pittman in 1970 and Douglas Ray Pittman in 1972.
Karen met her second husband, John Belcher, at work in May 1990. They married on June 30, 1991 in Riverside, California. They maintained residency variously in Upland, Simi Valley, and San Bernardino, California until 2008 when they moved to the Owasso area to be nearer her aging parents and a job transfer for John.
Karen enjoyed many activities including entertaining, going to the theater, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, watching sports, and traveling — especially cruising. She was able to visit all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as visit over 40 countries on six continents.
However, Karen’s greatest earthly love and pinnacle accomplishment were her two sons, Jeffrey and Douglas. She was always supportive and invested in their lives. As many moms are, Karen was delighted by the addition of grandchildren to her life. Doug’s Daughter, Kassidy Raelynn Pittman joined the family in 2002. Jeff’s son, Cayden Jeffrey Dungan-Pittman, joined us in 2012. Doug’s Daughter, Sabella Rae Pittman was born in September 2013 to become the latest of Karen’s three joys.
Most importantly, Karen was a devoted Christian from an early age. She became a member of the First Baptist Church Owasso in 2008, where she was actively involved in her small group, Karios, and had been a moderator in the Church’s GriefShare program. In 2001, Karen asked John for a “One Year through the Bible”, Bible for Christmas. After that, during her daily devotionals, she read the entire Bible every year, in various versions, until she experienced a fall in March 2024, suffering a brain bleed and stroke, which ultimately led to her passing.
Karen is survived by her Husband, John W. Belcher, Owasso; sons: Jeffrey L. Pittman and Wife Anna Dungan-Pittman, and Douglas R. Pittman; grandchildren, Kassidy R. Pittman, Cayden Dungan-Pittman, Sabella R. Pittman; Sister Sheliah Keck Webb and husband Herley; and her first husband John L. Pittman. Karen is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas R. and Harriett G. Keck and her sister, Wanda Keck Hammet.
A celebration of her life will be held at the First Baptist Church Owasso, 13307 East 96th Street North, Owasso on May 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Chris Wall officiating. The family requests no flowers, but memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Owasso or to The Mission Center, 11341 N Garnett Rd, Owasso, OK 74055.
