Eddie Keys

Eddie Ray Keys, 69, of Cape Girardeau went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, April 26, 2024, in his home, surrounded by his family.

Eddie was born March 10, 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of the late Clarence Eddie Keys and Vida Keys.

He grew up in Cape Girardeau and attended high school at Cape Central, where he met and married the love of his life, Colleen. Together they raised four children and owned Keys Music Store. After selling the historic Keys building in 2001, Eddie continued working for Act Entertainment (formerly Rapcohorizon) for 30 years, retiring in 2021.

While Eddie and Colleen raised their four children, you could find him coaching on the fields at Arena Park. He touched many lives in the community as he served as coach and commissioner to the Girls’ Breakfast Optimist League for 12 years. Eddie supported all his children and grandchildren in all their interests and was their biggest fan.

Eddie was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Eddie was known for his love of music. He traveled with his musician parents as a young boy, later forming his own bands, Fried Jam and Tufa, playing locally and in surrounding cities. Most recently, you could see Eddie on stage, playing guitar, at Lynwood Baptist Church Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery group. He has blessed many with his talent through the years, however, serving the Lord through music became his passion.

However, his greatest and most treasured role was that of “Poppy” to 10 grandkids: Skylar, Allison, Alexis, Kennedy, Seth, Izzy, Chloe, Reid, Vida and Miller.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; sister, Vi Ann Hall; and brother, Larry Lucas.

Survivors include his wife, Colleen Miller Keys; children, Billy Keys (Mandy) of Cape Girardeau, Angie Bird (Ben) of Lubbock, Texas, Jessie Richardson (Daniel) of Cape Girardeau and Gabe Keys (Merritt) of Cape Girardeau; his 10 grandchildren; sister, Monta Sue Richardson; sister-in-law, Pearl Lucas; and nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ron Watts officiating.

Eddie was a huge supporter of the Central High School band. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bill Ewing Memorial Scholarship through Cape Public Schools Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.