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John Robert Keck, December 16, 1950 - December 13, 1967
The following is the remembrance from our yearbook.
For twelve years, John Keck had been a student in the Derby School system and as a member of the senior class of 1968, he was liked and known by many. Everyone who knew him was shocked by his untimely death as a result of an automobile accident on December 13, 1967. John and his cheerful smile will never be forgotten by his friends and classmates.
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Nancy LeKron (Lockhart)
I first met John in Mrs. D's study hall class in our Jr. year. Throughout the year we talked then once I recieved a note from him in class asking me out on a date. He had a charming and funny personality so I accepted. This was before he had his drivers license so his Dad drove him to pick me up for a pizza dinner at Shakey's. When his Dad drove into our driveway he told John " I know this family". During the evening his Dad proceeded to tell us how he knew my family.
You see, John's Mom and Dad moved into a little house on the property just North of ours. John's Mom was from Germany and didn't speak English very well. My Grandmother spoke German so they became good friends along with my Grandpa, Dad and Mom. Both of our Dad's worked at Boeing and would run into each other on occassion. All of this was before John or I were born. I was born in Oct. then when it was time for John to be born in Dec. his Mom could not make it to the hospital and somehow she gave birth to him on our dining room table that our family had loaned them. Today, I have that very table in our dining room and cherish it.
Our date went very well and we continued to date for a few more months then broke it off as friends. He was like a brother to me. We still talked and confided in one another throughout our Sr, year. He worked at a mexican resturant and was proud of his Thunderbird. One night after working late at night, he drove along Rock Road heading home to Derby. His front tire blew which sent his Tbird flipping. John was found thrown from the car about 100 yds away in the field. The seat belt was still across his stomach. He did not survive.
This was just months before graduation and it was a very sad time for many of us and his parents as he was their only child.
Four days after graduation I married Rich and a 18 months later we had our first daughter. John's parents came to the hospital to see me and baby Misty then proceeded to tell me their great news. After almost 17 yrs of trying to have a 2nd child with no success, then losing John, they were pregnant and having another child. Cindy Ann was born healthy and beautiful. I believe that was John's gift to his parents and he continues to live on through his sister.
John has touched alot of lives in mysterious ways and he will always be in my heart. I cherish the table and will never get rid of it as long as I live.
Terry Nystrom
John was one of my best friends ,we had most of our classes together. It was a Big shock the night he left us,he was a good friend.