Don Kaywood Keister

Virginia Beach - Surrounded by his family, Don K. Keister, 82, died Jan. 13, 2015 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Don was born in Honolulu on Sept. 26, 1932, but after a brief stay in Key West grew up in the Norview area, graduating from Norview High School in 1949. Don retired from the Circulation Department of the Virginian-Pilot after 44 official years, but he started as a newsboy for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot as a 12 year old and never left the company. Don served our country in the Army National Guard, retiring with an Honorable Discharge as a Master Sergeant in 1972 after 21 years. He was a lifelong newspaper reader who loved to talk current topics, especially sports, with just about anyone. So much so that he often called the Virginian-Pilot to discuss the news, an error in facts or print, or just the history behind the article. Although sometimes he could be gruff, he was a kind-hearted man who loved puzzles, mischief and a good story. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Daisy Keister; brother, Charles Ronnie Keister; and father, Charles Burnie Keister. Don is survived by his wife, Frances; son Kevin (Amber) of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Kathleen (Michael) Sprague of Suffolk; grandson, Christopher (Emily) Collins of Yorktown - soon to be parents of a great-grandchild in July; granddaughters, Virginia Mae Keister and Jaime Noelle Keister of Raleigh; granddaughter, Kristina (Eric) Wolf and great-grandson, Peyton of Suffolk; grandson, LCDR Justin (Alicia) Sprague and great-grandson, Cody Sprague of Newton, RI; brother-in-law, Charles Jones of Chesapeake; sister-in-law, Nancy Keister of Northern Virginia; nieces, Debbie Keister of NYC, and Lynda Gammon of Annandale; and nephew, Teddy Keister of South Carolina. His greatest joy was seeing the success of his son, daughter and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 18, 3:00 pm at Haygood United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in the Social Hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Don's memory to the Virginian-Pilot Joy Fund at thejoyfund.org, or the Haygood Church Music Department, 4713 Haygood Road, Virginia Beach, 23455.