Keeney, Jerome 'Jerry' Patrick

Jerome “Jerry” Patrick Keeney, 66, of Cedar Rapids, was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Sept. 12, 1945, to Magnus D. and Sylvia Keeney. Jerry passed away on Nov. 26, 2011, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Survivors include sons, Brad Keeney (Terri) of Greeley, Colo., and Robb Keeney (Sherri) of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren include Kassi of Greeley, Colo., Karlie and Kaleigh of Cedar Rapids; brother, Doug Keeney of Center Point; and nephews, Roy Ellis of Phoenix, Ariz., Scott, Jason and Ben of Center Point.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Magnus D. and Sylvia Keeney; his sister, Virginia Keeney-Ellis; and sister-in-law, Nancy Keeney.

Jerry married Theolin Popinger on April 1, 1963. They later divorced in 1975 after having two sons.

When Jerry was in high school, he was a member of the band “Keeney and the Keen Teens” where he played guitar and sang. He had a great love of music as he was the son of M.D. Keeney, the owner of Keeney's House of Music.

Jerry had a short stint as a beautician, and then started a career as an electrical worker, and was a member of IBEW Local 405. However, Jerry was best known for owning and operating Jerry Keeney's Auto World, originally started as Specialty Auto Sales, because of his passion for performance/muscle cars and street rods.

Jerry was active with the Cedar Valley Street Rod Association and Good Guys Street Rod Association. Some of his favorite cars included several 1940 Ford Coupes, Chevrolet Nomads and most recently a 1932 chopped top Ford Coupe restored to its original 1957 build, a white 1935 Buick Limousine, and his last major project a 1957 Desoto Fireflite convertible.

Jerry won many awards with these cars and enjoyed showing them whenever he could. By his own request, Jerry's tombstone will read “See you in hot rod heaven” and have pictures of the ‘35 Limo and ‘57 Desoto. Jerry also raced stock cars at Hawkeye Downs with his son Robb. Jerry did accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior in 2007.

Jerry considered many to be family, among them the entire Chris Duke family, including Steve, Lynette, Vanessa and Kristen and their spouses and children; Sandy Smith; Cecil and Carol Horne, who were instrumental in his care; and most recently the staff at Meadowview Memory Care Center and Heritage Care Center where he received loving care and attention.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. There will be a luncheon at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Cedar Memorial Family Center, followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories.

Published Nov. 27, 2011, in The Gazette