Jerry A. Keely

In Loving Memory of Jerry Keely 

February 7, 1948 – February 9, 2025

It is with both sadness and a smile that we say goodbye to Jerry Allen Keely, who passed away peacefully at the age of 77 in Pocatello, Idaho, on February 9, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Known for his mischievous smile and quick wit, Jerry's legacy is one of warmth, humor, and a deep love for his family and community.

Jerry was born on February 7, 1948 and was raised in Rupert, ID, before attending the University of Idaho, where he earned his degree in chemical engineering. It was there he met the love of his life, Anne Sutton, and they were married on June 6, 1970, in Midvale, Idaho. Together, they settled in Pocatello, where Jerry worked as an engineer at FMC and later Monsanto, while Anne taught math to junior high and high school students. Jerry was passionate about his work and never truly retired; even after leaving his full-time career, he continued part-time work, finding a perfect match for his love of problem-solving and helping others through Hands4Uganda.

Jerry was a quiet champion for Hands4Uganda, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the students of Rock of Ages School (ROA) in Uganda. Through his generous giving of time, talent, and funding, Jerry not only designed and implemented a solar power system for the school but was a key donor in facilitating the building and operation of the school’s aquaculture farm, which hosts over 5,000 fish to feed the students of ROA and provides an income for the school. Through his generosity, thousands in Uganda will continue to be touched. While he always preferred to remain unmentioned for his tremendous giving, he asked that others simply know him as “a Grandpa who loves all children and grandchildren the world over, and would like to do something for them and their families to improve their lives through learning opportunities at ROA.”

Always young at heart, Jerry had a contagious smile and a sense of humor that could light up any room. Whether he was playing a practical joke or sharing a story, his joy for life was obvious to all who knew him. He was excessive in the best ways—his kindness, generosity, love for fun, and, notably, his appetite for ice cream. An avid lover of the outdoors, Jerry found happiness in skiing, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, fishing, camping, golfing, and whitewater rafting. His zest for adventure was matched only by his love for emojis, which he used liberally in every text, email, and note.

After the loss of Anne in 2019, Jerry found companionship in his beloved “Aussie girlfriend” Heather, a loyal four-legged friend who was always by his side. Together, they shared countless adventures, including daily coffee runs to the Bru House, where Heather was always treated to her favorite puppacino.

Papa Jerry is survived by his children, Nikki (Robert) Carlton and Jeff (Sophie) Keely; his siblings, Ron Keely, Bonnie Rogers, and Terri Gill; four grandchildren, Jax, Gwen, Adina, and Phoebe; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Carl Keely, and his wife, Anne.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jerry’s honor to Hands4Uganda https://hands4uganda.reachapp.co/donations/new.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 1350 Baldy Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83201, with a reception to follow at the Juniper Hills Country Club, 6600 Bannock Hwy. Pocatello, ID 83204. We invite all who knew Jerry to join us in celebrating a life well-lived, filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

Rest in peace, Jerry. You’ll forever be missed, but your smile, your jokes, and your love for life will continue to warm our hearts.