Joseph Richard Keary

Joseph Richard “Joe” Keary, 75, of Little Rock departed this earthly life on May 2, 2023, his 75th birthday. Joe was born on May 2, 1948 in Kansas City, MO., to Joseph M. Keary and Alice Keary Starks.

His father was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and during Joe’s early life he lived in multiple U.S. states. Joe and his family moved to Little Rock in 1960 after the death of his father to be close to a host of relatives.

Once back home in Little Rock, Joe attended Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic School and Catholic High School. He was a 1967 graduate of Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, AR. He attended the Central Arkansas College, now the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. When it came to athletics, Joe excelled as a center in football and was a junior Olympic swimmer as well as a self-taught high diver.

Joe served in the Arkansas Air National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves for a combined total of 11 years. He earned the rank of Technical Sergeant and was assigned to reconnaissance units and enjoyed hanging out of helicopters taking aerial photos. Joe could organize a warehouse like no one else and did so throughout his career, retiring as a civilian employee of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.

Joe was an avid University of Arkansas Razorback fan. He was very proud of his Razorback collection in his home man cave. He loved coaching his children’s baseball and basketball teams and was often in the stands at his children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

Joe was also a tinkerer; he could make almost anything mechanical work and his brother called him the “lawn mower whisperer.” He loved sports, photography, fishing, and family.

Joe’s parents, Joseph Mansfield and Alice Richard Keary Starks, his stepfather H.F. Admiral Starks, sister Janet L. Keary, and his one-month-old granddaughter Morgan Keary, all predeceased him and are awaiting his arrival home with open arms.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Kathy McDonald Keary and their three children Christopher A. Keary (Gretchen) of Myersville, MD, Brian A. Keary (Carissa) of Glendale, AZ, and C. April Washington (Kenjuan) of Little Rock. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren.

He is also survived by a sister, Mary Margaret “Mickey” Roberts (Sidney C.) of Shirley and a brother, James P. “Jim” Keary (Linda) of Hot Springs.

A celebration of Joe’s life and funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church, 1003 North Tyler St. in Little Rock on Tuesday May 9, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with Father Jaime Nieto officiating. Interment will be immediately after the service at Calvary Cemetery.

The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.GrossFuneralHome.com.