R. Thomas Keyes Jr.

Thomas Keyes Jr, formerly a resident of Roseville and Shoreview and, most recently, St. Anthony, died of pulmonary fibrosis on December 28, 2017 in the loving presence of his family. Tom was born in Faribault, Minnesota to Ralph Thomas Sr. and Bette Lee Keyes, where he lived until the age of eight, when his family moved to Falcon Heights, in the Twin Cities. It was in 3rd grade at his new school, St. Rose of Lima, where he then met the girl who would become the love of his life, Diane Andersen. Tom worked in technology and banking for 35 years, running national sales teams for large companies, traveling the United States and the Caribbean as an independent banking consultant, and coordinating the online presence of Minneapolis Children's Hospital. He joined the real estate industry in 2004, and found it to be a perfect fit for his talents. He loved helping people, understood all manner of construction, and had an affinity for detailed legal work, having picked it up by osmosis from his dad, who was an attorney. Even though he wasn't an attorney himself, two of the large companies he worked for used Tom to draft legal documents, despite having attorneys on retainer. However, it was in his life of service that Tom's spirit really showed. He was active in politics for many years, and turned down an opportunity to run for the state legislature. He served on the board for Marriage Encounter, and many other local and state boards. In 1993 he and Diane entered the Diaconate Formation Program, and he was ordained as a Catholic Deacon in September of 1996. He served the Catholic community of St. John the Evangelist in Little Canada for seventeen years with Pastor Father Robert Fitzpatrick, and pastoral minister, Marie Winn. Tom served many communities in numerous ways over the years. He volunteered as a chaplain at Saint John's Hospital for more than 23 years, and for ten years was the coordinator of the Infant Interment program. After his ordination, he served on the Archbishop's Pastoral Advisory Council, the Archdiocesan Office of Conciliation Advisory Board, and the Archdiocesan Finance Allocation Panel. He was Chairman of the Public Safety Committee for the City of Shoreview, a board member of the Twin Cities Electronic Commerce Forum, and sat on the Economic Development Grant Review Board for the State of Minnesota. He was a member of the St. Paul Association of Realtors Housing Foundation Committee, and of the NorthstarMLS Agent Advisory Committee and of the boards of both the State Association of Realtors and the National Board of Realtors. Although he often received accolades for his work, his greatest reward was the satisfaction he received from helping people. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Diane; children, Kelsey (John Hassett) and Troy (Debbie); grandchildren, Vincent (10) and Josie (8); siblings, Patty, Marcia (Dave) Wiger, Jim (Sandy), Barb (Duane, who also recently passed) Jenkins, Dan and Tim; mother-in-law, Lorraine Andersen; Diane's siblings, Gary (Katie) Andersen, Gail (Bob) Peterson and Brian (Laura) Andersen; nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, members of his small faith community, Marge Bregi and Linda Konkel; and most recently by his dear friend, Tuffy Bryant and much loved uncle-in-law, Herb Shearen. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 4-7PM Thursday, January 4 at ST ROSE OF LIMA CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2048 Hamline Avenue North, Roseville. Mass of Christian Burial 10AM Friday, January 5 (gathering begins at 9AM) also at ST ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Private interment in St. John's Cemetery, Little Canada. Memorials are preferred to the family

Tributes

R. Thomas Keyes Jr.

April 19, 1947 - December 28, 2017

Tributes

R. Thomas Keyes Jr.

April 19, 1947 - December 28, 2017

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203