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Richard Keely Obituary
March 16, 1948 - March 21, 2025
Buckeye, Arizona - Richard Michael Keely was born on March 16,1948, in Tacoma, WA and died on March 21, 2025, in Sun City West, AZ. He was preceded in death by parents Jerry (Gerald J. Sr.) and Sally (Sara E.) Keely, and niece Sara E. Grochowicz. He is survived by beloved partner of 29 years Mariann Neville, siblings Susan Keely, partner Tony Jones; Barbara Anne Keely; and Skip (Gerald Jr.) Keely, wife Sharman. Also nephews Jesse (Gerald III) Keely, wife Amelia; Griffin Keely, wife Nhien; and Patrick Grochowicz, as well as grand-nieces and nephews. A life-long Catholic, Rick was a family man, staying close to parents and siblings. He and Mariann enjoyed spending time with the younger generations, as well.
Rick graduated from Stadium High School in 1966, lettering in football, basketball and track. He attended the University of Washington and University of Puget Sound and was consistently first string for both school's football teams. He also rowed his freshman year at UW. He was proud to have served in the Marine Corps Reserves. Rick had a long career with Woodworth & Co, working for his dad and alongside his brother. He later worked for Petite Engineering and finished his career with the City of Auburn Public Works.
He and Mariann moved to Arizona in 2020, and he quickly connected with other Marine Veterans, old friends from the Northwest, and new friends at a local golf course. Rick's large circle of friends included life-long friends in the Tacoma area and recent friends in Buckeye, AZ. He was a big man with a big heart. Rick successfully survived throat cancer in 2023. In early February, he was diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to his bones and liver. He died six weeks later. "Howard Huge" was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Rick's Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on May 2, 2025, at Bichsel Hall, St Leo's Catholic Church, Tacoma, with reception to follow. Private committal service.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Keely
18 Entries
Susie Valentino
May 22, 2025
Rick was so accommodating when I came to visit him and Mariann a few years ago. I loved the life they both built. May you rest in peace.
Edward Horne
May 2, 2025
Great memories playing basketball with Rick for three years at Stadium High School in Tacoma, WA
Daniel Andrews
May 2, 2025
RIP Rick Keely ~ "Bigger than life", Rick was a great friend & brother.
We lived together after college on 56th & Proctor (later adding Bobby Allen & Rick Ceccanti to the brotherhood) - what fun times. We also worked a variety of nightclubs together which included the Tiki and The Exit of Lakewood.
It was fun seeing H.H. sitting practically in the backseat of his classic VW w/Porsche engine rolling down the AVE.
What a great friend he was .
We'll miss you Bro ~ Dan
Connie Wood-Callaway
May 1, 2025
I remember being @ Engine House #9 with Rick & he wrote a check for cash & they wouldn´t cash it because they only knew him as Howard Huge!
Until he showed him his drivers license & they still questioned it!
Also driving around in his classic VW Beetle with the Porsche engine what fun!
How you can show support
Clyde Werner
May 1, 2025
Ah yes ..... what a site ....... Howard Huge coming down the street in his VW Bug.
A Big man with an even bigger heart !!
A competitor, a teammate, but best of all, a great friend.
May you rest in peace.
Clyde
Bob Hunt
April 30, 2025
Sorry to hear about my high school friend, Rick Keely. We played football together and became lifelong friends. Always a great guy. May you Rest In Peace. Bob Hunt
Byron D Keely III and Sandy Shook.
April 16, 2025
Our condolences.
Janet Ecklund
April 15, 2025
Sue, Barb and Skip, Dean and I are truly sorry to hear this news. Our hearts break for you and for everyone that knew and loved Rick. We loved him, what a guy! I think we had about 55 years of friendship and what a great one that was. RIP big guy
Kristine
April 13, 2025
I think about all the times Rick use to come up the block to the Hankins girls house and watch televisions. You would spread out on the rug and took up the whole room. We were friends for our whole life.
Marianne I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many.
Kristine Hankins Hanberg
Ed Winskill
April 13, 2025
Rick was an icon of the Stadium class of 1966, and a big man in Tacoma in every sense of the word. Every time I saw him over the years and decades he was positive and a great guy to be around.
He's going to be greatly missed.
Lynne Walter Mor
April 13, 2025
I went to Junior high and high school and even college. I even got to dance with him at one of his fraternity parties. Rick was always friendly and kind to everyone
Barb Monroe
April 10, 2025
Sue and family~I´m so sorry for your loss. May your memories carry you through your time of grief.
Chris Ravers Kelley
April 9, 2025
Rest In Peace my friend. Watching a huge wave at sandy beach, Honolulu , pick you up like a rag doll and throw you around still brings a smile . Thanks for the memories. You were one of kind .
Jerry Meyerhoff
April 9, 2025
I met Rick when he played football at UPS in 1970. A big man with just as big personality and heart. We have remained friends since then. He moved to Sun City Festival 5 yrs ago and I was thrilled to reconnect with him. He golfed with our local golf group and as he always did, made many new friends. We often would go to lunch reminiscing on our times playing football, softball and skiing at White Pass. I will miss him but will always have very fond memories.
Robert Tibbits
April 9, 2025
Rest in Peace RIck. We knew each other since grade school. He was truly a good man with a big heart. We played slowpitch for many years and some years basketball. He will be missed and I will always remember how the umpires reacted to his size behind the plate. He was Howard Huge. I knew Mariann since the 4th grade and I'm sorry about her
loss.
Bob TIbbits,
Mesquite Nevada
Bruce Robison
April 9, 2025
Rick and I were classmates at Stadium but I will never forget "Howard Huge" number "747".. Rest in Peace Old Friend..
Bruce Robison
April 9, 2025
Rick and I were classmates at Stadium and I'll never forget Howard Huge number "747".. Rest in Peace old friend..
Mike Vukovich
April 8, 2025
I've known Rick over 50 plus years. Great guy and will be well missed by many in the Tacoma area and Arizona. So sorry to hear of his passing. RIP big guy
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May
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Celebration of Life
11:30 a.m.
Bichsel Hall, St Leo's Catholic Church
Tacoma , WA
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