Keith Kerr

A hardworking man with a heart of gold, Keith Kerr was the sort of man whom everyone seemed to know. As a longtime resident of the Muskegon community, he made a positive impact in the lives of many through his involvement in various organizations. With the love of his life by his side for 69 years, Keith was thrilled to witness his family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who made him so very proud. A successful businessman, he was honest and trustworthy with a way about him that put others at ease. Guided by his unwavering faith, he was compassionate and generous toward others. Although he will be deeply missed, Keiths legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in his footsteps. It was great to be an American during the decade that is often recalled as the Roaring Twenties. It was a prosperous time when innovation was taking us places we had never been. The assembly line made cars more affordable, radios brought the world around us within our reach, and baseball legends Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth made the game Americas favorite pastime. Amidst this exciting time was a great celebration within the lives of a young couple who was living in Mortlach, Saskatchewan, Canada, as they were blessed with the birth of a healthy baby boy on November 18, 1928. Keith Manford was one of five boys born to his parents, Harold and Yvonne (McGranahan) Kerr. Although his parents were living in Canada at the time of his birth, Keith spent the bulk of his formative years in Detroit where he was raised in the family home alongside his brothers, Kenneth, Robert, William, and Marty. Keiths father worked for the City of Detroit while his mother was a teacher. His parents divorced when he was a teenager. In many ways Keith experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. He was very athletic and was shot in a hunting accident that left him out of school for two years. However, Keith was able to make a full recovery, and once back in school he was a member of the diving team at Cooley High School. Not to be forgotten during Keiths high school years was his introduction to the woman with whom he would write a love story that would span more than 65 years. Her name was Evelyn "Ebbie" Alfrey. They began dating and soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together Keith and Evelyn were married on May 17, 1947, having just graduated from high school that February. Throughout his life Keith had a strong work ethic. He initially worked several different jobs before going to journeymans school to become a carpenter. Over the next four years Keith became very skilled at his job as he even ran several crews before he was licensed. His mother later remarried a man named Floyd Conklin who ran an insurance agency in Muskegon. When he was 25 years old, Keith and Evelyn moved to Muskegon where he joined his stepfather in the insurance business. With his outgoing and genuine personality this job was a natural fit for Keith, and he ran a very successful agency, Conklin-Kerr, for the following 47 years until he retired in 1998. Together Keith and Ebbie welcomed their infant son, Kevin, through adoption in 1957. In 1960 their family of four was completed when they adopted their daughter, Mary. The Kerr family lived in various places around Muskegon before settling into a house on Forest Park Road. This was the place they called home for several years. Although he ran a successful agency, Keith also made time to be with his family. There were memorable family trips with friends and their kids up North during the winter when the kids would ski while Keith and Ebbie both snowmobiled. Priceless family trips to Disneyland and to visit relatives around the country were also regular occurrences. Keith and Ebbie were very social and had a great circle of friends with whom they got together for parties or just informal gatherings. For as long as he was able Keith lived an active lifestyle. He was a member of several organizations including the Muskegon Lions Club, and he was a 32nd degree Mason, a life member of the Shriners, a former member of Central United Methodist Church, and a member of the Muskegon Elks Club. During his younger years Keith bowled on several leagues, and as someone who enjoyed golfing he was a member of the Muskegon Country Club for a number of years. He was an avid and talented gin player who loved spending time playing cards with his buddies. Over the years Keith and his wife loved to travel. They visited Mexico over 30 times and there were also trips to Spain and Africa. Many of their trips were taken with friends. Later in life Keith continued to make the most of the days he was given. He especially loved being a grandfather and looked forward to taking trips to visit them. Keith had a bout with prostate cancer several years ago, but he overcame the disease and made a full recovery. Then about six years ago he started showing signs of Alzheimers disease, and through Ebbies tender care he was able to continue to live at home for many years. Eventually he needed more help and moved in to the Agape Home asserted living facility where he received wonderful care. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Keith Kerr created a priceless collection of memories shared with the ones he loved. He was never one to focus on what he had, rather, his priority was always on living life to the fullest while having fun with his family and friends. A loving husband and devoted father, Keith treasured his family above all else. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered. Keith M. Kerr died on Monday, August 18, 2014. Keiths family includes his wife, Evelyn; son, Kevin Kerr of MO; daughter, Mary Vanocker of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Courtney (Heath) Whetstone, Keith Kerr II, Amanda (Ernesto) Borge, Brittney Vanocker; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Sandy) Kerr, William (Elsa) Kerr, Marty (Joann) Seitz; many nieces & nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Kerr. Services will be held on Monday, August 25, 2014, 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Hospital. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.