KEILY JOHN R

MAJ John R. Keily was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 05/31/2003 at the age of 56.6
Simsbury, CT
Flight Class 71-26
Date of Birth 10/22/1946
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 1 SIG BDE in 71-72
This information was provided by Tom Bothur

More detail on this person: "Life is good!"

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

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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