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Christopher Keyes Obituary

Christopher M. Keyes

Nashville - Keyes, Christopher M. (Kit), age 68, passed away September 7, 2019. He was a beloved husband, father and brother. Born in Bellingham, WA to Marion Keyes and Winifred Nolte Keyes, he was the youngest of five children. He grew up in Ketchikan, AK where he excelled as a student, basketball player and singer. He was an alumnus of Stanford University and McGeorge School of Law of the University of the Pacific. He was employed by Louisiana-Pacific Corporation for 37 years, most recently in the position of Associate General Counsel. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters Casey (Anchorage, AK), Stephanie (Chicago, IL), Elizabeth (Post Falls, ID), Jocelyn (Chicago, IL) and Justine (Orange, CA). Also surviving are a brother, Peter, and a sister, Candace (both of Oregon), sister-in-law Janet Tillman (John Blunk) of Aurora, IL, brother-in-law David Tillman (Donna Bea) of Clarksville, MD and many other relatives and friends from Alaska to Tennessee. He also leaves behind his beloved cats Nero, Pyewackett, Circe and Zebedee. Great thanks to Dr Matthew Beuter, Dr Joao de Andrade and the doctors, nurses and staff of Duke University Medical Center Lung Transplant Program. Kit had many interests. He loved to cook, read books, go to movies and learn about new things every single day of his life. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a man of great heart, and he will live in our hearts forever. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Woodmont Christian Church (3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, Tennessee), with a reception following from 12 to 1:30 p.m. in the church gathering space. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Duke Health in support of the Lung Transplant Director's Fund. Please mail checks to Duke Health Development, ATTN: Sally Schatz, 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701 or visit https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dukehealth/ to make a secure gift online. Donations may also be made to the Nashville Cat Rescue at www.nashvillecatrescue.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean from Sep. 11 to Sep. 13, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Keyes

Sponsored by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home - Nashville.

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6 Entries

Dad being fun at all ages

Casey Keyes

September 14, 2019

Dad,
I miss you so much. My heart is both breaking and healing in this loss and I can't help but think that's your influence. We were so lucky to have you for as long as we did. I find comfort in knowing that your legacy on Earth is so vast and vital. I promise with all my heart that I will work to continue your legacies, play joyfully with animals, and love as hard as you did. ♥

Exquisite Tribute Standing Spray

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Tom Borgen

September 12, 2019

I remember the first time I met Kit in grade school when we were playing against his church league basketball team. The tall skinny kid with a set of those big knee pads we use to wear back in the day. He was competitive and smart with a great sense of humility and humor from the start, time did not seem to change him, even when encountering difficult challenges in life. So sorry to hear of his passing, he was a good man.

Treasured Tribute Wreath

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Chris Elliott

September 12, 2019

Having grown up in Alaska with Kit, the trait I loved most about him was his authenticity--he was "real." He was brilliant & kind & thoughtful, but he also was always that kid from Ketchikan that we knew & loved.

Sara Welliver

September 11, 2019

Truly, Kit was a wonderful light in so many lives, especially his Dear Daughters and those he loved.
His lighthearted way brought joy and laughter often.
His charisma lit up every room he entered.
His brilliance was enlightening everywhere he went.
His kindness could brighten a dark situation.
He could come up with a light bulb idea at the snap of a finger.
He knew the Light of the World ~ Jesus
He will live eternally in Heaven where there is no darkness, only light. We all look forward to your Huge Hug when we join you some day.

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Memorial Events
for Christopher Keyes

Sep

14

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

Woodmont Christian Church

3601 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN

Funeral services provided by:

Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home - Nashville

201 25th Ave North, Nashville, TN 37203

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