Keith Alan Shoemaker

Shoemaker Keith Alan Shoemaker, loving husband, father and grandfather passed from this life at the age of 63 on March 23, 2015 after an extended illness. Keith was born on March 20, 1952 in Chillicothe, Ohio to Lt. Governor Myrl H. Shoemaker and Dorothy Cook Shoemaker, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his loving wife, Jady Johnson and children, Abby (JK) Thompson and granddaughter, Annabelle, Evan (Erin) DeGiralomo, Shannon Shoemaker Wellins and Ashley (Matt) Winters. Keith is survived by four brothers and three sisters, Ronald (Joy) Shoemaker of Chillicothe, Michael (Kathy) Shoemaker of Stoutsville, Kevin (Barbara) Shoemaker of Dublin, Myrl Jr. "Mick" (Polly) Shoemaker of Sunbury, Kathy Shoemaker of Cincinnati, Brenda (Bob) Finnessy of Delaware, and Debbie (Bob Leach) Shoemaker of Chillicothe, Ohio. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Keith was a 1970 graduate of Paint Valley High School where he was a three sport standout earning all-state recognition. His proudest moment was being a member of the 1969 undefeated Paint Valley Bearcat football team, playing with his brother, Kevin and coached by his brother, Mike. Keith graduated from Otterbein College in 1974. His professional career was as a lobbyist at the Ohio Statehouse, first with the Ohio Association of Realtors and then the Ohio Health Care Association. Later in his career, he established The Shoemaker Company and provided legislative representation to a number of clients along with John McGough of McGough and Associates. Keith became a St. Louis Cardinals fan at an early age, listening to evening radio play by play with Pop and his brothers. He had an amazing memory for sports facts and events and entertained friends and family with his stories. Keith was also devoted to University of Cincinnati basketball and football, attending games with his brother, Kevin. Some of his most prized possessions were the pictures, baseballs, bats, footballs, and basketballs autographed by sports greats and UC team players. Keith and Jady were truly in love and completely devoted to one another. After diagnosis of his rare neurological illness in 2012, Keith displayed his typical positive attitude - traveling with Jady making "we were there" moments and taking Hilton Head trips with Jady and her children enjoying beach football toss, good seafood, and hanging out in a beach chair with his toes in the ocean. Keith loved walking at Antrim Park three or four miles a day until just a few months before his death. Jady and the family extend their deep appreciation to Keith's caregivers and helpers Elspeth, Lakeith, Lindsy, Mikl, Jeanne, Amy, Joyce, Jim and John. Visitation will be observed on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 12:45-1:30 p.m. at the Dublin Community Church at 81 West Bridge Street, Dublin, Ohio, where a celebration service of his life will begin at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Faith Mission at 250 N. Grant Ave., Columbus OH; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at PO Box 613377, Memphis TV 38101; and the Reading Recovery Fund at 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Suite 250, Worthington OH 43085. Arrangements entrusted with JOHN QUINT TREBONI. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com