Graduation Year | Class of 1955 |
Date of Passing | May 08, 2014 |
About | Michael Edward Keane (Mike) started his next great adventure on May 8, 2014. Mike survived a tornado in Athens, Alabama, on April 28 and then had a stroke and heart attack in Cheyenne four days later. Mike was famous for his gregarious nature, and, if you were lucky enough to meet him, within five minutes he would know your name, what you did for a living, your spouse’s name, your greatest accomplishment, and your life goals. He loved people and especially loved to talk to anyone – retirees, the homeless, soccer moms, and whoever crossed his path. He was also famous for his love of Starbucks, and his favorite part of the day was to get his latte, sit down, and meet a new friend. Until the day of the tornado, Mike was working as a consultant to the Browns Ferry nuclear power plant in Athens, Alabama. He loved working so much that he refused to retire, and, at the age of 76, was still in great demand as a consultant. As a young man, he had left Grafton, West Virginia, to see the world, and, after a stint in the Marines, he joined the Navy as a submariner. He was stationed on the second nuclear sub, the Snook, where he learned his craft in nuclear power. He also met the love of his life, Betty Jane O’Neal, when stationed in Pascagoula, Mississippi, while the Snook was being built. After a four-week courtship, they married and spent fifty-two years together, traveling the world and raising three daughters: Mary Ralene Keane (Cheyenne), Blue Mudbhary (San Francisco), and Fran Kline (Cheyenne). He was a proud grandfather to Indigo Mudbhary, Cora Kline, Kelly Kline, and Sage Kline. He will also be missed by his sister Priscilla Keane and brother Steven Keane. We are sure he is having a great reunion with his parents Ed and Ethel Keane and his sister Sara Keane. Mike was a good friend to many people all over the world, and he will be remembered for his wonderful spirit, good humor, and his life-long search for the meaning of life. |