Ray Herman Keever

Mr. Ray Herman Keever, 93, resident of Piedmont Crossing, died peacefully on November 7, 2017 with family by his side.

Mr. Keever was born on November 19, 1923 in Canton, OH, a son to the late Bayne Pharr Keever and Mary Estelle Setzer Keever.  He moved to High Point in 1930 at the age of 7 and lived there his entire life.  Ray was a graduate of High Point High School and attended High Point College.  As part of the Greatest Generation, Ray was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving in World War II.  He was on one of the first ships to land on Omaha Beach and served in France, Belgium and Germany until the war ended in June of 1944.  For his service, he was awarded a Purple Heart.

A born salesman, he was in the printing business most of his life, owning Tri B Label Company, Print Craft Inc. and ending his career with North Carolina Garment, a business Ray founded with his oldest son, Jim.

As a faithful, life-long and devoted member of First United Methodist Church in High Point, he served on the Board of Trustees and was actively involved in all facets of the life of the church.  Ray’s passion for life touched many areas.  He was a Mason, an Elk, a Gold Life Master within the American Contract Bridge League, a pilot, a professional golden gloves boxer and a founding and life-long member of Colonial Country Club in Thomasville where he won several championships.  He served on the Board of Directors at Colonial and was the last surviving founder.  While leading the High Point Seniors Golf Association for many years, he shared a real passion for the sport with his wife, Vada, as they traveled the world with the American, British, Canadian and Dutch Golf Association.

High Point Central High School was also a beneficiary of his leadership and golfing skills where he coached the girls and boys golf teams from 1986 to 2014.  He started coaching when his grandson, Jimmy Keever, Jr. was on High Point Central’s golf team.  Coaching golf was a special gift that kept him young and active, where he was awarded for his efforts as Coach of the Year for Golf by the Central Carolina Conference in 2001 and an induction into the High Point Central Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Ray is survived by his children, Nancy Keever Ilderton and husband Clarence Morton Ilderton, Jr. and James Ray Keever and wife Dorothy Webb Keever all of High Point; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Thomas Keever of High Point; seven grandchildren who were the greatest treasures his children ever gave him, Ashely Stevens and husband Frank, Shannon Snipes and husband David, Wesley Keever and wife Mary, Jimmy Keever, Price Mingledorff and husband Joe, Christopher Keever and wife Jessica and Cameron Keever; ten great grandchildren, Mary Keever Snipes, Dozier Snipes, Hannah Stevens, Claire Stevens, Dory Keever, Abby Keever, Elly Keever, Francy Keever, Lindly Mingledorff and Mae Keever Mingledorff; and a special friend, Millie Henderson.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mary Taylor Keever; a son, Danny Taylor Keever; and brother, Bayne Pharr Keever, Jr.

A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in High Point with Dr. John Fitzgerald presiding.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Epworth Room at the church.  A private interment will be held at Floral Garden Park Cemetery on Friday prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, 512 N. Main St. High Point, NC, 27260 or to Piedmont Crossing, 100 Hedrick Dr. Thomasville, NC, 27360 or to the charity of your choice.

A special thank you is extended to the nurses and staff of Piedmont Crossing, who cared for Ray with compassion and love.  The Keever family will forever be grateful for their total effort in keeping Ray as active and comfortable as possible.

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