David "Dave" Keedy

Newbern resident Dave Keedy, whose love of country and family was as strong as the American flag pole centerpiece of his rural front yard, died July 29, 2025, after several months of declining health. 

Born September 15, 1939, in Crawfordsville, Indiana, to Joseph & Sarah “Boots” Keedy. He was the youngest of their three children, including brother Robert “Bob” Keedy and sister Delores “Joan” Keedy. He was married for 64 ½ years to Janet Keedy, with whom he shared two children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild. 

As a boy he spent many hours fishing and hunting with his hunting dogs. Being an Indiana boy, he grew up watching the Indy 500 and he liked cars, somehow obtaining a nickname of “Speedy Keedy”. A class of 1957 graduate of Crawfordsville High School, he missed his high school prom because he had to pay for a speeding ticket. Over his lifetime he shared his racing passion with is daughter Carla and son-in law Freddy and they attended quite a few races together and these trips back home were a fun time. 

Keedy enlisted in the Navy at an early age, launching a career in which love of country took precedent over everything except love of family. And that is why the sturdy, towering flag pole in his yard with “Old Glory” was waving in the breeze until recent months when his health wouldn’t allow him to attend to it regularly. He was a proud veteran of 20 years in the U. S. Navy, serving at numerous duty stations including Tennessee, Texas, Maine and Virginia. He served overseas aboard ships on various assignments and traveled to Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Sicily and Nova Scotia just to name a few. When at home it was common to take on second jobs working in construction. He met his true love Janet in 1960 while stationed in Tennessee and they were happily married and enjoyed life side by side for over 64 years until her death in June of 2025. They had two children Jeffrey and Carla (Freddy) and then welcomed 3 grandchildren and one great grandchild. 

After retiring from the Navy, he worked as a welder while attending State Tech to become a teacher. He then worked as an aviation structural mechanic instructor at Millington Naval Air Station for various contractors. Later he worked in maintenance in Dyersburg, TN.

As an adult, Keedy, an ultimate handyman, was the epitome of “Mr. Fix It”. He possessed the tools and skills to tackle almost any task for family and friends.  He was eager to help anytime a family member, friend or neighbor had a problem. And usually, the friendly service came with an interesting story or two about his years in the Navy or the pride of his son Jeffrey’s and grandson Joe’s military service. 

 Along with his wife, they were “No. 1 Fans” of Dyer County Choctaw basketball. He was loyal – and usually very loud – attending games, both home and away, and always wearing vivid DC orange. Keedy was a confidant of the coaching staff, often with contact several times a week during the season to stay updated with developments. He served as a volunteer photographer for the team, providing immediate and historical evidence of some of the Choctaw’s greatest accomplishments – or just to give photos to student-athletes and fans.

A life-long outdoorsman, he loved sports! He was competitive and a stickler for the rules. In earlier years he was a golf enthusiast and made a hole in one at the Navy golf course in Millington, TN. 

Fishing in area lakes was a favorite pastime, and he was an accomplished angler. Able to adapt to any “fishing hole,” but especially comfortable at one only a short ride on a four-wheeler from his home, he always boasted that he’d never been “skunked,” meaning he’d never gone fishing without catching at least one fish. His wife often joined him in catching “a mess of fish” for a family fry or just to give to friends. But in his later years, he was content to sit on the bank making an occasional cast and enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors – after he’d caught that first fish, of course, to preserve his never-skunked legacy. 

 At times Keedy seemed to enjoy watching and helping others catch fish as much or more than catching them himself, especially years ago when introducing his son and grandson to the sport, and seeing them develop into skilled fishermen. And he was generous in personal conservation efforts to preserve the enjoyment for future anglers by helping friends who owned a lake or pond with re-stocking and lake developmental management. He and Janet made a great team and hosted the best fish fries. in retirement, Keedy spent as much or more time on his bright-red four-wheeler as in his car or truck.  Often it seemed that he would find an excuse to hop on the four-wheeler, especially on short trips around his rural neighborhood, than use a car or truck.  Well into their late 70s and early 80s, it wasn’t unusual to see him and his wife scooting around their spacious property in tandem on the four-wheeler, with him driving and her perched on the back half of the driver’s seat.  

Ever the early riser, he always thought sleeping in was a waste of the day. However, later on he did learn to appreciate an afternoon nap. 

Until his health began failing, Keedy was a regular member of a daily breakfast crowd at the local McDonald’s, catching up on the news of the morning with other residents of the area. On weekends he could usually be found at a breakfast gathering in the back of a downtown Newbern auto parts store, always exchanging stories and enjoying a “big breakfast” prepared by the store owner.

He showed his love by taking care of his family and friends and cherished his role as “Pa-Paw. He will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty, his strong work ethic, and the deep love he had for his family, friends and country. He will be greatly missed. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Janet, and his parents Joe and Sarah “Boots” Keedy and his brother Bob Keedy. Survivors include his sister Joan Webber (Wes) and their families, Sister-in law Janet Keedy and their families. His wife Janet’s siblings: Jimmy Dennison, Faye Seboly, Kay Miller, Paul Dennison (Susie), Patsy Whitworth, Wanda (Ronnie) Mott, Polly Dennison (Bobby) Mary Milam, sister-n-law Teresa Dennison, and all their families. Two Children: Jeffrey Keedy and Carla Sexton (Freddy) Three Grandchildren: Joe (Victoria) Keedy, Taylor (Ryan) Smith, Savannah Keedy, one great-grandson Isaiah Keedy. 

Visitation to be 11:00-1:00 Friday August 1 st , 2025 with memorial service immediately after on Friday in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home 239 E. Main St., Newbern, TN 38059 with interment at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, TN.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of  Dave Keedy.

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