Joseph William Keeney

1933 - 2011

Joseph William Keeney, 77
Joseph William Keeney, 77, passed away Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, in Alamogordo. He was born Dec. 19, 1933, in Arkansas City, Kan., to William Hogan and Hellen Rosetta (Ronsick) Keeney.
Joe was a graduate of the University of Oklahoma in 1956 and University of New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology with a doctorate in geosciences in 1968. His professional career included atmospheric physics, exploration geophysics and computer science from 1960 to the present. He did research in geophysics, wrote numerous scientific papers and had some patents.
He has been a resident of Alamogordo since 1988. Joe enjoyed backpacking and hiking in the New Mexico mountains, exploring the old railroad trails.
Joe is survived by wife of 52 years, Carlyne Rae Gerle, whom he married June 22, 1958, in North Platte, Neb. He is also survived by his children Kevin D. Keeney (Heidi), of Cedar Park, Texas, Karen K. Normandin (Douglas), of Garland, Texas, David V.M. Keeney (Tetyana Litvinenko), of El Paso, and Dr. Susan G. Keeney (Tony McKee), of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren Matthew and Amber Normandin, of Garland; and half sister Ruth Williams.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother and step-father.
No services are planned per Joe's request. The family will spread his ashes in a favorite place at a later date.
The Keeney family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the arrangements. Cremation will take place locally at PCS.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.