Philip “Phil” J. Keating, Jr., 70, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at his home in Newport, Va. He was born on May 25, 1947 in Newark, New Jersey to Col. Philip and Bettie Keating, Sr.
Phil grew up in many areas of the world, traveling where the Air Force led his father. He graduated from McLean High School in McLean, Va. and later attended Frederick College in Portsmouth, Va. Phil was in the air force and served in the Vietnam War. Phil married Judy Massey in 1975 in Suffolk, Va. They were happily married for 42 years.
He worked at Virginia Tech for 36 years as a turfgrass research technician in the Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology & Weed Science.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, spending time with family and enjoying his farm in Clover Hollow.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Bettie Keating.
Phil is survived by his spouse Judy of Newport; his daughter Julie (Dedra) Prester of Christiansburg; his daughter Chelsea Keating of Newport; his sister Susan Frihse of Lake Lanier, Ga.; and his loving brother and sister in-law, nieces and nephew.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Newport Rescue Squad 418 Blue Grass Trail Newport Va 24128 (540) 544-7695 http://www.newportrescue.com. Condolences may be left on Phil’s online guestbook at http://philip-phil-j-keating-jr.forevermissed.com/
