Kenneth Keesee

Kenneth Michael Keesee, loving son, husband, father, brother, friend and devoted English teacher, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2006, at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va.

Mr. Keesee was born June 17, 1970, in Cape Girardeau, the beloved son of Michael Ray and Sandra Kay Johnson Keesee. On Aug. 2, 1997, Mr. Keesee married Sheila Ruth, who survives. Out of their love were born two children, Aiden James and Devon Grace Keesee

Also surviving are his grandfather, Everett G. Johnson of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, Paul D. Keesee, Jason E. Keesee and wife Katie; nieces, Megan, Alexis and Alyson Keesee; and nephew Julien Keesee, all of Cape Girardeau; mother-in-law, Kae Ruth, father-in-law, Robert Ruth of Harrisonburg; brother-in-law, Dennis Ruth of Vienna, Va; sister-in-law, Kathleen Alexander and husband Greg; nieces Elizabeth and Lauren Alexander; and nephew Brian Alexander of Carmel, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Lawrence and Vivian McDaniel Keesee and Nina Helena Glenn Johnson.

Mr. Keesee was educated in the Piedmont, Mo., school system. After high school graduation, he enjoyed a stint as a deck hand on a Mississippi River tow boat, following his father and grandfather into the river industry. He thereafter enrolled in Southeast Missouri State University where he graduated summa cum laude and earned membership into Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He attained joint degrees in English and religion/philosophy.

From there, he furthered his education at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va. Juris doctorate in hand, Mr. Keesee and his bride settled in the Harrisonburg area.

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with a childhood friend, the Rev. Tim Bridges of Patterson, Mo., to deliver the message.

Following the funeral in Cape Girardeau, Mr. Keesee will be returned to his hometown of Bridgewater, Va.

Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Bridgewater. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

Mr. Keesee will be sorely missed by his family, friends and students.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kenneth Keesee Memorial Fund, in care of Rockingham Educational Foundation, 100 Mount Clinton Pike, Harrisonburg, Va., 22802, or you can honor Mr. Keesee's legacy by becoming an organ donor.