Jerome "Jerry" Keyes Jr.

Jerry Keyes was born in 1935. He died in January 2024 in Hawai'i. He
was 89 years old.
Jerry grew up in Virginia with a love of baseball, football, and archery. The second of six
children, Jerry was his father's right hand man, helping with a myriad of projects on the
homefront. Jerry attended Duke University, majoring in business, and played varsity baseball
while traveling home many weekends to produce and sell top quality bows. During this time,
Jerry met his future wife, Barbara Van Popering, at Teela-Wooket Archery Camp.
Having no career plans during the spring semester of senior year, Jerry went to the Navy
recruiting office with some of his Fraternity Brothers and decided to apply for Officer Candidate
School. During his first year in the Navy, Jerry played Navy baseball as a pitcher with a
formidable forkball in his arsenal! Jerry and Barbara were married and spent their honeymoon
centered around Navy baseball. They then headed to Corpus Christi, TX where Jerry started
flight school on the P2V (sub trackers) aircraft. His first Navy Pilot assignment was in Honolulu,
HI flying C130 cargo planes. During this time, Jerry's first two children were born and Barbara
and Jerry developed many lifelong friendships. Jerry finished his Naval career in Okinawa,
Japan.
Jerry spent the remainder of his professional life as a pilot for United Airlines. After flight school
in Denver, he and Barbara moved to New Jersey where Jerry's third and fourth children were
born. He flew a wide variety of different aircraft: DC8, DC10 (he was not fond of this aircraft!)
Boeing 727, 737, and finally, his favorite the Boeing 747, flying routes to Asia and South
America. He commented that flight school for the 747 was so difficult, it about killed him! But, as
we all know, if Jerry wanted something, he went for it!
Jerry and Barbara raised their children in Fairfax Station, VA. Through example, Jerry set high
expectations for his children and supported them in making responsible decisions. He helped
his children to follow their passions, encouraged intellectual development, and he was a doting
grandfather. Once the kids flew the coop, Jerry and Barbara loved spending their retirement in
Colorado. Jerry avidly enjoyed time with friends and never passed up a chance to share a good
story. And, let's not forget his love of bridge, golf, computers, Duke basketball, and the stock
market!
Following Barbara's death, Jerry found Marli Wedgeworh-Horst, the second love of his life, and
they cherished their time together in Eagle, Highlands Ranch, and on trips near and far.
Jerry was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Barbara Keyes, his son Jeffrey Keyes, his
parents Jerome and Helen Keyes, his sister Sandra, and his brother Eric. Additional pictures of
Jerry can be found on Barbara's obituary site.
Jerry is survived by his beloved partner Marli Wedgeworth-Horst, his daughter Dawn (Dan)
Pratt, his son Bruce (LaRae) Keyes, his daughter Laura (Glenn) Hamilton, his grandchildren
Michelle (Kevin) Phillips-Pratt, Mark (Lizzy) Pratt, Amy (Chris) Leong, Dani Hamilton,
Michael Hamilton, Carly Keyes, Cody Keyes, Kenzie Keyes, and two greatGrandchildren Grace Pratt and Ronan Phillips-Pratt, as well as his sisters Sharon Skaggs, Linda
(Dale) Kerns, and Melissa Keyes.
The family is hosting a drop-in reception at Golden Eagle Community Center,
715 Broadway Street, Eagle, CO 81631 on Friday, February 2 from 1:00 PM to
3:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Senior Spot program of
Caregiver Connections, PO Box 9727, Avon, CO 81620.