Gerald Paul Keatts

Our father, Gerald (Jerry) Paul Keatts, passed away on June 5, 2024, at his home in Walla Walla, Washington. He was 65 years old. Jerry was born on January 31, 1959, in Pomeroy, Washington, to Phyllis Jean Keatts (née Morris) and Edward Oscar Keatts. Jerry grew up on the family farm in Pomeroy and was active in sports, including football and basketball, and was a member of the Pomeroy chapter of the FFA. He graduated from Pomeroy High School in 1977 and attended Walla Walla Community College, where he studied Ag Mechanics.

After college, Jerry worked for Western Farm Service and then The McGregor Company. He had a true love for hard work and farming, taking his vacations every summer to work wheat harvest for Gorham Farms. Jerry’s work ethic was fueled by his love for his children and his commitment to providing them with every opportunity in life. He loved the outdoors and, when not working, could be found camping and fishing with his boys along the Tucannon River or skiing and snowmobiling in the Blue Mountains. He also loved sports and attended an endless number of sporting events for his kids, as well as being a spirited fan of the Seattle Sea Chickens (Seahawks).

Any description of our Dad would be incomplete without mentioning his giving nature. Jerry was the first person to lend a hand to any friend, family, or neighbor with a need, and he did not shy away from the difficult tasks. Perhaps the only quality of Jerry’s personality stronger than his work ethic (and perhaps reinforced by his commitment to work) was his ability to sleep, anytime, anywhere.

Jerry suffered a heart attack in April 2009, which resulted in an anoxic brain injury and restricted his ability to continue working. Following his heart attack, his overall prognosis was not good, and the last 15 years of his life were challenging but a gift to his family. While he was unable to do many of the activities he loved, he married his wife, Barbara, and was able to meet and play with his grandchildren, which was one of his greatest joys.

Our father was greatly loved and will be dearly missed. No conversation with our father was complete without an update on the price of gas, the current weather in Walla Walla, and a comment on the wheat. Gas is $4.70 a gallon. The sun is shining, and they say we might be in the 90’s this weekend. With the late spring rains, it looks like harvest might be pretty good, as long as the wheat made it through the winter freeze. We love you JerBear.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phyllis and Edward; his brother, Michael Keatts; his sister, Penny Whinsenhunt; and his niece, Abigail Marie Keatts.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 14 years, Barbara Keatts; sons, Andy Keatts (Heather) of Walla Walla and Thomas Keatts (Carolyn) of Seattle, Washington; brother, Pat Keatts (Donna) of Aberdeen, South Dakota; sisters, Fran Peters of Kennewick, Washington and Susan Herd (Dean) of Wapato, Washington; grandchildren, Shayna, Grayson, Avery, Rowan, and Peyton; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jerry is also survived by his stepchildren, Joey Reynolds (Amber) and Eric Reynolds, and stepgranddaughter, Bailey.

A memorial for Jerry will be held in the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at 10:30 am. A barbecue will follow at Vista Terrace Park in Walla Walla from 12 pm to 2 pm. The family welcomes anyone who wishes to attend the memorial or the barbecue.

In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made to the Blue Mountain Snowmobile Club through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.