KEITH GOREE RETIRES AFTER DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BARTLESVILLE
Keith Goree, center in blue, stands with his family during a ceremony honoring his retirement from the Boys and Girls Club of Bartlesville. Goree served the organization for more than 50 years.
Courtesy photo
By Mike Tupa
April 7, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Keith Goree summarizes his life with two words.
“I’m blessed.”
In this case, it’s a boomerang.
Goree has been a blessing for a half-century for thousands of Bartlesville-area youngsters and adults.
He devoted a large chunk of his adult life to helping bring out the best in local youth and helped mold their futures during his service with the Bartlesville Boys & Girls Club.
In addition, he also serves as a minister at the Miracle Temple Church of God and Christ, while his beloved wife Drena fills the duty of minister of music.
Upon his recent retirement from the Boys & Girls Club— commemorated with a party in which many of those he guided attended to honor him — Goree recalled many happy memories from his time with the institution.
He took on many roles — some of which included athletic director, bus driver and janitor.
“Whatever it took,” Goree said.
It took the club — and some very important individuals working at the club such as Jo Allyn Lowe and Mildred Haupt — to keep Goree on the right path after he joined the club at age seven.
“Mildred Haupt was like my other mom,” he said, adding that his parents approved of the time he spent at her house.
He also mentioned club adult Joel Wilcox as being another profound influence during those crucial elementary and junior high days
Meanwhile, Goree immersed himself into the club’s athletic and non-athletic activities, including at age 10 joining a singing group that focused on gospel songs.
“I did as much as I could to stay out of trouble and to not run around town and be a nuisance,” he said about the importance of the club in his formative years.
As a teenager, he served as a volunteer with the club administration.
His earlier adult years were filled with college - on a music scholarship (vocals) and also track - and five years in the Army.
After that, he began working at the Boys & Girls Club.
Among other tasks he taught a judo class there for eight or nine years.
As athletic director, Goree brought in Odus Holder to coach Boys & Girls Club basketball.
Goree credits the club program with being an important part of setting the foundation for Bartlesville High’s glory basketball days (three state titles) of the late 1980s and early 19990s.
“Ninety-five of those teams played together at the club,” he said.
But the club’s lasting impact extended beyond athletics.
Goree believes the club took a major step forward “when we started feeding them and helping them with their homework,” he said. “They felt like they had somebody in their corner. … We would do it (homework) with them, show them how to do it and help them do it. … We had some good athletes and brought up some nice talent. But it was possible because the kids wanted to go somewhere and do something. That made my job a whole lot easier.”
Another irreplaceable source of help for Goree emanated from his wife Drena.
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Keith Goree and his wife, Drena, during his recent retirement party from the Boys and Girls Club of Bartlesville.
Courtesy photo
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She had the major responsibility of raising their sons, Joel, Joshua and Morris due to the time he devoted to the club, as well as supporting him in every way.
“She handled that very well,” he said. “She played a big role in me being successful at the club.”
He and Drena enjoyed long conversations almost every night about their children, the club and other things, he said.
Goree said his sons came to the club every day during their growing-up years.
“I put them to work,” he said.
In 2003, Joel became just the second-ever Bartlesville running back to run for more than 1,000 yards. He even earned a walk-on spot at Oklahoma State, but chose to focus on his engineering studies, Goree said.
Joel is now an engineer for a major aircraft company.
As mentioned, music has played a major role in Goree’s life — something he and his wife passed on to their children.
All three sons play musical instruments and whenever they come home, the Gorees hold a jam session.
Goree, who’s duties the last few years at the club have centered around bus driving, janitorial work and filling in as a supervisor when needed, said he felt the time was right now to step away from the club.
“I’m thinking, I’m not reaching the kids like I want to,” he said. “I felt I wanted to do something different from what I’m doing.”
He felt “overwhelmed” by the response to his retirement party.
“I enjoyed seeing all the kids and adults, some of whom I played with, and some who I coached,” he said.
Approximately six decades ago a seven-year-old that might have been at a crossroads found the Bartlesville Boys Club.
He immersed himself into the positive culture that set a happy and useful life’s journey.
Just as importantly, he gave back.
Good job, Keith.
Jason Barta, left, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Bartlesville, presents a commemorative photo to Keith Goree during a retirement celebration. In addition to numerous duties, Goree drove children to and from the club during his decades of work.
Courtesy photo