More detail on this person: "Life is good!" This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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Those were favorite words of Major (Ret.) John
Robert Keily. John died May 31, 2003 on the 18th
hole of a golf course in Martha's Vineyard Mass.
He was 56. John graduated with the flight class
71-26, served in Viet Nam with the 1st Signal
Battalion and the Gulf war with the 1109th
AVCRAD. After Viet Nam, John was stationed in
Germany, where he met his wife Barbara. When he
left the military, John stayed on in Germany for
six years as a teacher. Back in the States he
joined the Connecticut National Guard continuing
to fly helicopters and rose to the rank of Major.
I served with him in B Company 126th AVN for most
of his time in the guard. John's civilian job was
as a construction estimator. John was an Eagle
Scout and served as an Assistant Scout Master for
the Boy Scouts. Following in his father's
footsteps, he was an avid golfer and birdwatcher.
The most important part of life, the thing that
gave him the most joy, was his family. Besides his
wife, he leaves his daughter, Lynn Anne and son,
Karl as well as two brothers and three sisters.
There was a large turn out of Vietnam Vets and
guard at the wake. We went over to a pub call
Finnegan's after to share stories and toast John,
a good Irish wake it was.
John was buried on June 5th with full military
honors. I had the honor of presenting the flag to
his wife Barbara. Good by John we know you are
doing the recon for those who will follow. Don't
look for us to soon though because as you always
reminded us, "life is good".
Tom Bothur, Cowboy 23, 69-21
Thank you for posting John's obituary. I visit
this page from time to time and enjoy reflecting
back on the life of the man I first met in August
of 1965 at Norwich University in Northfield, VT.
The shared challenges/hardships of life at a
military college forged a bond of friendship that
lasted long after our school experience although
the truly vivid memories are of our many college
escapades.
While hours could be spent reviewing all the beer
we consumed, skiing adventures, and road trips to
far away places like Plattsburgh, NY... my most
fond memory is of the day I burst into the room
and found John stretched out on his rack -
studying intensely. While that, alone, was
stunning, the subject was astounding. John was
reading The Bible! Not known for his academic
prowess, John rarely picked up any text, and his
lack of academic achievement was a reflection of
that fact. He not only read The Bible from cover
to cover, he found great comfort in the
experience. John was a man of deep personal faith
who relied upon it to guide his actions.
Although many years have gone by since John
shared his last earthbound moments with his
brothers in his most favorite pastime, he lives on
in my heart and the hearts of all whom he touched.
From: Walter R. Franklin