President L. Michael Keone (1939-2007)

We got some very sad news yesterday. Our beloved mission president passed away on Tuesday. We will miss him very much. We loved him. He was a great man! I don't have enough good words in my vocabulary to describe the type of man he was. Our condolences to the Keone family and all who knew President Keone.

Here is a copy of his obituary in the Salt Lake Tribune:

"L. Michael Keone 1939 ~ 2007 L. Michael Keone passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 in Provo Utah. He was born on May 6, 1939 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Alexander and Amoe LeiIlima AhMook Sang Keone. He grew up in paradise with his beloved brother Alex. He was a proud graduate of Iolani High School. He married his one and only sweetheart Sharon in 1959 in Boise, Idaho. Mike graduated from Boise Jr. College in 1961 with an Associates Degree. In 1967 he graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in Engineering. Mike joined the Honolulu Police Department in 1961 and was Valedictorian of his class at the Honolulu Police Academy. He then proudly protected the public as a solo bike officer until 1968. After earning his engineering degree he went to work for Boeing designing planes, including the 747. Mike joined New York Life Insurance Company in 1969. Before retiring in 1997 he was Senior Vice President of the Pacific Region. Brother Keone had a deep and abiding love for his church and served selflessly in many positions including Bishop of the Seattle 14th ward. His great love of teaching was a bright light in many lives. The Keone's fulfilled a lifelong dream of serving a mission when they went to the Hawaii Laie Temple in 2001. In July 2001 they left for the Quezon City Mission in the Philippines and served as mission president. He was an amazing leader to men and women all over the world. The family has received condolences from as far away as Australia. On May 8, 2006 the Keone's left to serve in the New York Manhattan Temple. While there, he also taught the Gospel Principles class in the Harlem ward. They met many new friends and had a wonderful time living in the city. The Keone's recently returned to their home in Provo to prepare to serve in the temple presidency in the Hawaii Laie Temple. Mike is remembered by all who knew him as a hero, mentor, teacher, and dear friend. One of his missionaries summed up the feelings of many when he sent the following sentiment to our mother, "In my eyes, he was one of the finest men to have ever walked the earth." And indeed, he was. Mike's greatest pride was his family, especially his loving wife Sharon who he affectionately called Shawnee. He is survived by daughters Kelly, Maile, Michelle and sons Rob and Shane and 16 grandchildren. Mike will be greatly missed by his parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and entire extended family. He is also survived by hundreds of people touched by his warmth, love, tremendous sense of humor and ability to make people laugh. Mike was preceded in death by his brother Alex, mother Amoe, and grandmother Julia. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Oak Hills 9th Ward located at 2000 N. 1500 E. Provo, UT. In lieu of a viewing, an Open House will be held at the Keone home on Friday, November 9, 2007 from 6-8 p.m., 1274 E. 2300 N, Provo, UT, 84604. Come "talk story" and celebrate Mike's life. Online condolences at larkinmortuary.com"