Thomas Weldon Keckley, 58, Carl Junction, died Monday, March 21, at his home.
Tom was born Jan. 28, 1958, in Kansas City, and adopted by Dr. E. Weldon and Betty Keckley, who resided in Joplin. Tom spent the majority of his very happy childhood in Chicago, IL, but spent many summers in Tabor Woods, north of Joplin. He was an Eagle Scout and a 1976 graduate of Morgan Park Academy. After a couple of lost semesters with his best friend, Mark Gradolf, occasionally attending class at Kansas University, but a much more frequent visitor to the local pool halls, he found himself not invited back to play so he returned to Chicago to figure out what his future held.
Many years previous he had told a group of Scouts he wanted to be a mortician when he grew up. The group all giggled, thinking Tom was being his typical crack up. His father, also the Scout Master, gave him a severe tongue lashing in the car on the way home, chastising him about the ministry of being a funeral director. When Tom did not reply to a question about this episode, his dad saw he had tears running down his face, and realized he had been serious all along. Upon his return to Chicago, his father reminded him of his interest in this field and Tom graduated from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1981. He then joined Bill Huddleston at Parker Mortuary where he served 33 years and was the current co-owner.
Tom was a member of First Community Church, Joplin, and a former member of Carl Junction United Methodist Church.
He married Keri Lynn James on March 12, 1988, at First Community Church, and they were very happy. In January 1990, they welcomed Lauren Elaine. In June 1992, they welcomed Lindsey Elizabeth. In December 1994, they welcomed James Weldon "J.W.". In November 1996, they called it good and got a dog.
Tom was a servant. He served the families he cared for, the employees of the mortuary, his church, and most of all, his family. None of us ever wanted for anything, even the things that he thought were not necessary; like a horse, "perfect" prom dresses, family trips to the beach, and the latest technology gadget (ok....he really liked those.....let's not kid anybody). He spoiled us all. We are struggling to make coffee, and none of us know how the stud finder works, nor how to reboot the modem, so we may be without caffeine with crooked wall hangings and no internet for a very long time. He was so proud of his kids, he would tell anybody about them. Every time one of them called or visited, right after they hung up or left, he would say, "I just love that kid." He also adored being "Dot" to Emerson and Troy.
He is survived by his wife, who will love him forever; his daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Jeremiah Johnston, Oronogo; daughter, Lindsey, St. Louis; and son, J.W. "Bubby", a student at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, his birth mother and husband, LaVeeta and Rudy Cleveland, Parkville; his father and mother-in-law, Jarrel and MaryAnn James, Bronaugh, and his precious grandsons, Emerson and Troy. He was also expecting his first granddaughter in August. He is pre-deceased by his parents and a grandson, Beau Johnston.
Tom Keckley, you're cool
Services are planned for Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at First Community Church. Dr. Craig Talley will officiate. Interment will follow in Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be J.W. Keckley, Jeremiah Johnston, Pat Fitzgerald, Rick Clark, Carl Francis, Brock Watson and Pat Irwin. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-7:00 p.m. at Parker Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Olaf College Choir or to First Community Church, both in care of Parker Mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
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