John Francis Keever, Jr.
January 21, 1945 ~ April 30, 2003
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville - John Francis Keever, Jr., 58, of 17 Braddock Way, died Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
A native of Hickory, he was the oldest child of Rubye Fry Keever and of the late John Francis Keever. John was a graduate and avid supporter of Duke University. He was a 1st Lt. in the US Army who served in Vietnam. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville. John enjoyed running, completing five marathons and also became a master rose gardener. John helped administer his family’s business, Sara Scott Furniture Industries, before changing careers to become a physician’s assistant. John worked for 18 years with Asheville Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeons, P.A., retiring in 2001 because of his illness.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 34 years, Patsy Rouzer Keever; two daughters, Betsy Keever of Asheville and Jenny Keever Peterken, her husband Neil and their daughter Riley, of Wilmington, NC; two sisters, Kippy Monk, and her husband Phil; Anna Shreve, her husband Larry and their children Larry and Christopher; one brother, Danny Keever, his wife Diana and their son Alex.
A memorial service and reception will be held at 3 pm Sunday, May 4th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville. The family requests those attending the service bring a single rose, which will be used in the service, to honor John’s memory.
In lieu of floral arrangements at the church, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, the Unitarian Universalist Church, One Edwin Place, Asheville, NC 28801 or to the charity of your choice.
John and his family would like to express their gratitude for the warmth, compassion and continual support from the wonderful community of family and friends.
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I will remember Johnny’s pleasant smile. Every time I saw him, even with his illness, he always was smiling. Our love to your family.
With deepest sympathy,
Nathan Ramsey
It’s a sad day but one filled with wonderful memories of Duke – Carolina games, road races going back to the late 70’s and Johnny’s perpetually kind, caring way of being a friend.
Thanks for the wonderful memories, John. Here’s to a life well-lived!
As always,
John Kennedy
My Dear Patsy,
I was so saddened to read about Johnny. What a good life he led. A relationship like the one you had the good fortune to share is so very rare. Let’s spend some time together after school’s out.
Love, Cynthia
To Betsy and the whole Keever family-
We send our love across the miles.
Jenna and Wyatt
Patsy, I was so sorry to learn of John’s death. Please know that you are in my prayers during this difficult time. I didn’t know John, but I did know you. Because of that, I know that he must have been a wonderful person. Sincerely, Etta
It is always sad to lose someone you love. It is even sadder to lose someone who is too young for it to make any sense. Maybe saddest of all is to lose someone whose presence adds light to a room and whose spirit makes a difference with everyone and everything he touches. That was John.
But with the sadness comes the assurance that because John lived that kind of life, the love, care and integrity he shared will live on in the hearts and minds of those of us who knew and loved him.
Peace PK and family….DW
Thinking of you and your family.
Love, Sandra
Dear Patsy and Family,
We are so sorry to read about John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jerry and Nancy Wilson
22 Gardenwood Lane
Dear Kippi and Anna – So many years have passed since the days of Sing Out Asheville, and I don’t know if you remember me. I read about your brother and want to tell you how very sorry I am. I knew him slightly over the years here in Asheville and he was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I am presently in the middle of a move and changing e-mail and all addresses; however,I will think about you in the weeks to come.
May God bless you and grant you peace.
MarLisa Mills Mumpower
Dear Betsy- I picture your Dad on the sidelines at our Duke track meets- so loving and so incredibly proud of you. I know that you miss him terribly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Lots of love- Jenny
Dear Patsy,
We are so sorry about your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Patsy and girls,
I am thinking about all of you constantly. You are in my prayers. Please know if you need anything, I am a phone call away. I love you!
Sheree
Dear Patsy, Betsy, and Jenny,
Our thoughts are with you…What a sweet, kind man Johnny was. It was always so clear that you all meant the world to him. That is the Johnny that I will always remember.Lynne (Vanderbeek) Mayer
Dear Mrs. Keever,
My prayers are with you and your family in your time of need. Just remember, Death is only just the beginning of eternal joy.
Patrick Burrows
Patsy and Family,
Wishing you peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It was a privilege to have known John and meeting all of the family at Sara Scott.May God bless all of you,Ray & Brenda Browne
Betsy:
I never met your dad but I’m very affected by his death because you are so dear to me. We’ll say a special prayer for him and light a candle for his journey home. You’re such a beautiful woman and it had to take a special dad (and mom) to raise such a wonderful person like you. Our prayers to you and your whole family. He’s your special angel now and will continue to take care of his loving family.
Love,
Nancy, Paco and Citlalli
Ms. Betsy Keever:
I would like to extend my condolences to you and your family during these difficult times.
In best regards,
Greg Livengood
(Class of 92)
Patsy: We had many things in common with John. But, three of the most important were the Redskins, the Braves, and Duke Basketball. We love John and you and share your loss deeply.
Dear Patsy and family,
I knew John from the time I worked at Mission Hospital in the 1980’s. I was always so impressed with what a compassionate person he was. When a heart patient would come into the ICU after surgery, John gave loving care to each and every single person. He really paid attention to every detail and he would not leave until he was absolutely certain that the patient was stable. This meant that he sometimes spent hours in the room when he could have just left and asked the nurse to call if something changed. This was not Johns style, however. He really cared.
I was also impressed with the way John treated the staff in the ICU. He had seemingly limitless patience and would take the time to truly listen to what people had to say. He earned respect from others because of the way he interacted with all people.
Most of all, I remember his warm smile and the way he took the time to make eye-contact with everyone he encountered and that he was never too busy or ‘too important’ to greet people (regardless of their station or status) and exchange a few words.
John was a warm, kind and caring person. I know you will really miss him and I am very sorry for your loss.
Diane Bauknight
Betsy-
My healing thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Your parents helped to create a truly amazing and inspirational person. I know that your father will now serve as a guardian angel for you as you continue your life’s journey.
All my love!
Paige
Dear Betsy and Patsy: Jennifer and I want to express our deepest thoughts to you and all of your family. Both of you are such wonderful people and a day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t thought of you both during this difficult time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers…and as always, if I can do anything to help lessen your burden, please call me. With Love and Prayers, Roney
I lift you up in prayer. You are so very dear to my heart.
Each time I smell the sweet smell of a rose and think of the love it carrys to so many I will remember the Keevers. Love Always
My dear forever friend Patsy –
My heart breaks for you, the girls and extended family. From going with you to the Charlotte airport to send Johnny off to the war to last seeing you two last spring, I’ve known what a special, rare love you had. So… in celebration of what you had and in sorrow for what you’ve lost, know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Had I known in time, I would have been on a plane.
Love, Marsha (Bob and Caitlin too)
Betsy –
Even though I never got the chance to meet your father, I can only imagine what an amazing human being he must have been to helped create you! Know that your friends from all over are sending you strenth. My thoughts, prayers, and love are with you now and always –
Anne
Patsy, Thinking of you at this difficult
time for you and your family. My
thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Bob Embler
Patsy, my deepest sympathies to you and the girls. Johnny’s roses will always bring smiles and happy thoughts to you.
John’s kind spirit will always be remembered and you, the family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Creola Wilson
Patsy, Jenny and Betsy:
From growing up with you guys to having the privilege of working with John at the hospital it seems like I’ve known your family forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Patsy and family.
We are saddened at the news of John’s passing and know that he waged a tremendous battle against his disease. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and Betsy. We will always remember the Duke track meets and special times we shared while our girls were at Duke.
Fondly, Connie and Doug
Mrs. Keever,
I am thinking aboout you and your family in this time of loss. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. You are a wonderful woman and I admire you very much. I think of you often.
With love,
Jeanne
To John’s family,
May your spirits be lifted in this time of sadness by knowing that John was a true gentlemen in every sense of the word to those with whom he worked at the hospital. His perpetual smile and constant kindness, even under severe stress, will be sorely missed.
I am sad to lose a person of such high integrity and good heart from this world. Barbie Butt
I love you, Dad.
Patsy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My thoughts are with you all!
With love,
Kira
Dear Patsy and family,
Please know that you have been in my thoughts daily. It was special that you could be with Johnny these last few months, and while the pain seems so unbearable now, it will be replaced over time with sweet memories.
All my love.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I am so glad that I got to know you through Bill. I have always considered you all to be a really special family and I am so sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cathy, Joanne, Kaley and Joseph
My heart goes out to your entire family.
Love,
Ian
Patsy,
I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you can find comfort knowing that he is not hurting anymore. Please know that Hank and I are keeping you and your family in our prayers during this difficult time. Please call us if you need us for any thing.
We love you.
Katha and Hank Bowman
I am sorry for your family’s loss. Mr. Keever was such a special man, and I know my parents were very close with him and all you. He will be missed more than you know. I wish there was something more than words I could offer you now. I know you must be going through so much yourselves; I can only say that when I pray, I think especially about you. Sincerely, Beth
Your loss was a loss for all of us that were friends with Johnny and the family over the years. If there is anything I can ever help you with, please don’t hesitate to call.
With all my love, John Moss