Francis Keegan
Francis Thomas "Tom" Keegan of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020, at his home after a long illness.
Tom was born in New York City on July 3, 1932, a son of the late Frank and Mary Ellen (Lundy) Keegan, and grew up in the Bronx. Graduating from Cardinal Hayes High School as a track star, Tom attended Fordham University on a track scholarship, and graduated with a BA in Business Administration. During his college years, Tom was part of a national champion two-mile relay team, winning awards at the Penn Relays and other renowned track meets. Valuing education, Tom later earned an M.A. in Business Administration from NYU.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Barbara Vaughn Keegan of Chattanooga, her daughter, Teri Grant and son, Donald Grant also of Chattanooga, as well as Tom’s children, Frances Kelly (Joe) of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thomas Keegan (Davidson) of Venice, Ca., Mary Keegan-Dayton (H. Bliss) of Bradford, N.H. and Joseph Keegan (Mark) of Castleton, N.Y., 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and his sister, Jane Keegan of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., all of whom mourn him greatly. A son, Peter Keegan of New York City predeceased Tom.
A resident of Chattanooga, for 38 years, he retired from Daltonian Flooring Inc., Calhoun, Ga. Tom was a longtime member of First Centenary United Methodist Church. An active member of The Oak Street Playhouse, and was the voice behind many puppets for the Puppet Theater. He was an active member of the Barbershop Harmony Society and a member of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Chorus.
In addition to being a man of tremendous character and integrity, Tom loved to interact with people, asking probing questions, offering sound advice, especially financial, and timeless wisdom. Tom also loved to eat, but his happiest moments were spent when surrounded by his wife, his children, grandchildren and his friends, creating harmony best with a glass of red wine in hand.
Please join us on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 6–9 p.m. on 806 Candlewood Trail, Chattanooga, to celebrate the life of F. Thomas Keegan.
Visitation with the family will begin at 6 p.m., with a memorial service conducted by Dr. Mark Gooden, First Centenary United Methodist Church directly following at 7 p.m.
This announcement is made by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge.