Keith Sovereign

(From Parker Mortuary)

Keith Sovereign, age 84, of Carl Junction, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin.

Mr. Sovereign, son of the late Oliver and Roberta (Keith) Sovereign, was born on July 14, 1936, in Joplin. He grew up and attended school in Joplin graduating from Joplin High School. 

Not long after graduating, he attended University of Missouri where he received his Bachelors in Education. He later attained his Doctorate in Education from the University of Arizona.

 

On August 26, 1956, he was united in marriage to his longtime sweetheart, Joan Meyer, in Joplin. Together they enjoyed 65 years of marriage. During that time Keith was an educator at different schools in the north Missouri, Iowa and Arizona areas. He then took a position in Kansas City to become an Assistant Principal of North Kansas City High School and then as the first Principal of Winnetonka High School when the school officially opened their doors on August 31, 1970, where he stayed until his retirement from Education. After his retirement he became the Executive Director for Community of Caring of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation for five years. In the fall of 2015, he and Joan relocated back to the area to make their home. Keith enjoyed his time in Joplin being a member of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church and volunteering his time at Freeman Hospital ICU in Joplin.

Survivors include his wife, Joan Sovereign, of Carl Junction; three children, Kathy Isaacson, and her husband, Chuck, of Shawnee, KS, Debbie Clark, and her husband, David, of Spokane, WA, and Scott Sovereign, and his wife, Vickie, of Leawood, KS; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 2:00 PM at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210 with burial to follow. Family requests memorial contributions be made to the Missouri Southern State University Foundation for the Oliver and Roberta Sovereign Scholarship Fund and may be entrusted to the mortuary. For those wishing to send flowers, please send to the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens at the above address.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.