John T. Keck

JOHN T. KECK JAMESTOWN, NC John Thomas Keck, 59, treasured husband and father, beloved son, brother and friend, passed away May 26, 2006 at his home in Jamestown, NC. He was a professor at High Point University and previously at the University of Guam and University of Arizona. In addition he was a licensed ships captain and avid outdoorsman-spending as many hours as possible sailing with his family and friends throughout the Caribbean and Western Pacific. John was more than a scholar. He was a gifted teacher with the unusual ability to inspire learning in the adventure of life through academics, sailing and scuba. John is survived by his wife, Lisa; son, JAK, father and mother, James and Ethel Keck; sisters, Sue White, June Weitz and Betty Keck; mother and father-in-law, Kathy and Armand Saiia; and a large extended family of relatives and friends. He lived his life with strength, courage and uncommon vigor. He has gone from us too soon, and will be missed more than we can express. A memorial service will be held on June 23rd at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church of Melbourne, 3301 Dairy Rd. In lieu of flowers and cards, please make a donation in memory of John T. Keck to Hospice of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405 or to the John T. Keck Memorial Scholarship contact (336) 454-3559.

 Eulogy for John T. Keck

EULOGY
John Thomas Keck October 1, 1946 - May 26, 2006
John Thomas Keck was born the first of four children, and only son, of Jim and Ethel Keck on October 1, 1946 in Jacksonville, Florida. Jim Keck, John's Dad, had returned from WWII and begun work on his BS in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville. John was born while his Dad was in college, an appropriate beginning for a college professor. John was a bold, energetic child with an engaging grin and ability to laugh easily who found his way into his share of mischief. Whatever John found to do he did with all his considerable focus and determination. A natural leader, John convinced sisters and friends alike to take a bold approach to living, and it was always fun (if not a little scary) when John led the way. At the beginning of the Slideshow you heard my John singing "This is My Father's World". He loved to sing that song, and fifty years later his sisters remember it with a smile. John's favorite childhood game was "Red Rover". On one occasion he charged with such fierce determination that his friends and sisters let go and scattered and John charged into a tree with his head. Never one to be discouraged, John continued to love "Red Rover". His determination was such a part of John that it never flagged. John graduated from Melbourne High School in 1964 and went on to earn his Associates of Arts at Brevard Community College. He then moved to Tallahassee to earn his BS in Finance at Florida State University. John taught math at Clearlake Junior High the Fall of 1968 where his evaluation included this comment: Mr. Keck should be commended for his ability to gain students respect and for the amount of time he is willing to dedicate to their needs. John was a natural scholar and truly gifted teacher. He went on to continue his education by earning his Master's Degree in Business Administration at Florida State and PhD in Finance and Accounting at Georgia State. As a part of his MBA program, John had the chance to study abroad in Italy. John loved Italy so well that he applied for an accounting job to allow him to stay. His friend Jimmy let the employer believe that John could read/speak Italian. But then John did such a good job, and was so well liked, that the employer overlooked the fact that John was still learning the language. It was during this time that John learned to combine travel, adventure and learning a formula that was to guide his future. In addition to Italy, John lived throughout Europe, in South Africa and then in Guam for seventeen years. He earned his license as a ship's captain and found his soul mate, Lisa, aboard a ship she hired him to captain. John and Lisa were married on December 31, 1992. On their wedding invitation they began:   "I will marry my friend the one I laugh with, dream with. Love." The invitation ends:   "May you be strengthened by yesterday's rain, Walk straight in tomorrows wind and cherish each moment of the sun today". True to his promise as a teacher at Clearlake Junior High, John won Outstanding Teacher twice, Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching and The Meritorious Service Award while at the University of Guam. John's life was blessed with his wife, Lisa, his son, JAK, his family, friends, career in teaching and his love of the ocean and sailing. He truly did cherish each moment of his journey and ended it with courage and dignity. He has left us too soon, and will be missed more than we can express.