John Fontaine Keeling Jr.

John Fontaine Keeling, Jr. was born in Danville, VA in 1937 to Mabel and John Keeling. He attended George Washington High School and played football, ran track and was President of his Sr. class. He went on to attend Va. Tech and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. He graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. After graduating, he met the love of his life, Judith Close Cather. They married and were immediately stationed in Germany for two years. There they had their first child.

John went on to work for the C&P Telephone company and progressed in various positions there as well as other telecomm organizations. While working, John was able to attain his MBA from Va. Tech and was Assistant to the Dean of the Business School. Besides his primary career, John was an adjunct faculty member at several universities, the latest of which was Old Dominion University where he taught for 22 years in business administration. There he established many close relationships with his colleagues in the business department. He also received various teaching awards.

John was also very active in the community including service with WHRO public TV, United Way, and chairing the Board of Directors of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. He was also an active member of his Church, the most recent being Wycliffe Presbyterian. His contributions included teaching Sunday School, Meals on Wheels and various other Christian outreach activities. John loved and honored his God.

John loved his close friends and relished activities with them including tennis at VBTCC, card games and other social events with friends, and YMCA workouts. He made many lasting friends in these venues. He loved to entertain with stories and laughter.

John is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Judy, his daughter and son in law Beth and Larry Jeffries, his son and daughter in law, Jeff and Joyce Keeling, and is preceded in death by his youngest son Scott Keeling. Also surviving are grandsons Taylor and Mason Jeffries, granddaughter Juliana Keeling and grandson Jake Keeling. He is also survived by his sister and her husband, Marge and Lane Jackins and their daughters Jennifer and Mary Lane.

We want to extend a special thank you to Dr. Paul Schellhammer and others who cared for him during his battle with cancer.

A celebration of life will be held at Wycliffe Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 9, at 1p.m.

In lieu of flowers, we request any memorial contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Friends may offer condolences at www.mem.com