Keith Scruggs

Keith Allen Scruggs passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024, in Somerset, NJ, from cancer complications. He spent his final days surrounded by his loving and devoted family. He was 52 years old, just 12 days shy of his 53rd birthday.
Family was central to Keith's life, and he was proud of the one he built with his wife of 22 years, Ghada Asfour. Together they raised three children: Layla, Kyle and Luke. Keith shared a love for the X-files and ghost stories with his daughter and a passion for video games with his sons. He tried to instill in them his love for the outdoors, motor sports, boxing and biking.
Keith was born in Cheverly, Maryland on March 6, 1971, to Franklin Roosevelt and Freda Elizabeth (Buckler) Scruggs. His father was a sheet metal mechanic and Keith grew up in the shop, learning his Dad's craft. He was also very close to his brother Mark, who was three years older and a mentor to him. His mother was self-educated and went on to write and self-publish the children's book "The Dirty Worm Story." She remained an inspiration throughout his life.
In the fall of 1985, Keith moved with his parents, Frank and Freda (known as Mac), and his siblings to Fort Washington. There, he met some of his lifelong friends, including Eric Bankey, Steve Marcom and Joe Pennella among others. It was also there where, at the age of 22, he met his beloved future wife, Ghada.
In 1986, Keith partially lived with the Cocchiaro family in Calvert County to attend Northern High School where he enrolled in the ROTC program. Louise and Big Mike Cocchiaro became his second family and their son, Michael, his brother from another mother.
Keith enjoyed working with his hands; he was a sheet metal mechanic and an architectural, metal and glass mechanic for several years. He was the brain behind many projects, always trying to problem-solve and rectify errors made on a job. He worked on many famous projects, such as the storefront of Bergdorf Goodman and the SeaGlass Carousel in downtown New York, where he and Ghada lived for a few years before moving to New Jersey.
As a young man, Keith was diagnosed with lupus. Forced to retire early on disability, he wanted
to stay productive and useful and continue to use his interest in design; he spent hours
photoshopping cars into new designs. He designed a '32 Ford Trike, bought all the parts and tried to build it right in his living room (an impossible feat in the end). He dreamed that, if he could build it, he would then auction it off to benefit the Lupus Foundation of America. Throughout the years, he came up with many ideas, sharing them with his children in hopes that they would one day be realized.
Keith was known for his extreme generosity - his house was open to anyone in need - and for his deep, baritone voice, fit for a radio personality. For him, music was vital and he would play it on the loudest setting, his hearing having been diminished due to his stint as a security guard for rock concerts at the Capital Center in Landover, Maryland. He was proud that all his children played an instrument.
Keith was preceded in death by his father, Frank Scruggs, his nephew, Robert Scruggs, Louise Cocchiaro, and very recently, his mother, Freda Scruggs.
Keith is survived by his brother, Frank Scruggs, his sister, Denise (Edgar, "Butch") Brown, his brother, Mark Scruggs and his half siblings, Debbie Scruggs, David Scruggs, Kathleen Redman, Christine Ollis and Jamie (Diane) Scruggs. He is also survived by his wife, Ghada Asfour and his children, Layla, Kyle and Luke Scruggs.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held in Keith's honor on the 23rd of March. Please reach out directly to Ghada for detailed information.
Click this link to view additional details about Keith's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/keith-scruggs