Well, I’m proud to be ...

Interview and photos by Cathy Spaulding

Keith Biglow can recall reaching many milestones in his career as a funeral home director.

He traces that interest to his childhood in Okmulgee.

“When I was a boy, mom worked three jobs to keep a roof over our heads,” he said, adding that a woman babysat him at her house near a church.

“There were a lot of funerals,” he said. “We’d sit on steps, watch hearse go by. We’d go down and look at the church while gentlemen took the equipment and flowers, took the casket through the door. Sometimes, the pastor babysat me and would sit me in his Cadillac, when he would lead funeral processions. I was always drawn to that.”

Biglow recalled making funeral processions with his Hot Wheels cars, then helping at an Okmulgee funeral home in middle school.

He also found time for youth football, basketball and baseball teams sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

“My mom let me be in any activity,” Biglow said.

He found another skill and interest in eighth grade — playing the bass horn, also known as a tuba and sousaphone. He earned a music scholarship at what is now University of Central Oklahoma, where he earned a degree in mortuary science. He also got involved with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and remains a member as an adult.

Biglow worked with an Okmulgee funeral home before coming to Muskogee, where he bought an abandoned funeral service. He opened the funeral home in 1993.

He found time to serve on the Muskogee Board of Education for 15 years. He sponsored a boys’ basketball team and a girls’ softball team. He was Muskogee chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha for 12 years, but stepped down when his business demanded more of his time.

He said one of his two sons now attends UCO, earning a funeral science degree.

“Being a father is my greatest accomplishment,” Biglow said. “I was a single parent kid. Raising two boys was very important to me. I’m very proud of that.”

Keith Biglow recalls growing up interested in funerals. He has owned a funeral home for 31 years.

Through 31 years in the funeral business, Keith Biglow found time to serve on Muskogee Board of Education and as fraternity chapter president.