Edwin Maurice Keathley

Edwin Maurice (Mo) Keathley, who died on Sunday, August 31 aged 74, was a pioneer in the development of managed healthcare in Texas. As a vice president of Kaiser-Prudential Healthcare Plan in Dallas in 1977 he helped create the second HMO in Texas, a plan that initiated change in the way care was delivered and financed in the Metroplex area. As vice president and chief operating officer of PruCare of Austin Mo introduced HMOs to Central Texas in 1979. He was a seminal force in the reform of the local healthcare system. He worked closely with Norman Chenvin, MD to create the Austin Regional Clinic (ARC), the leading physicians' multispecialty group practice in the Austin area. In these and other professional endeavors Mo was motivated by a desire to improve the health care system for the nation. Respected throughout the field as a creative and dynamic leader, he served as mentor to the next generation of leaders in the Texas community. Mo was born in Corsicana, Texas on October 31, 1933, the son of Edwin Maurice and Margaret Ann Keathley. He spent his boyhood in Houston, Texas where he attended Lamar High School, graduating in 1951. He was an athlete of distinction, lettering in football and track. He attended Rice Institute and graduated in 1956 with a BA in Economics. He was a member of the Rally Club at Rice and remained an avid fan of Rice athletics all of his life. Following graduation from Rice, Mo was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1956. He served in the medical corps and was stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso. He received his honorable discharge in 1958. In 1957 Mo married Betty Cook Stacy from Houston. They subsequently divorced after twenty-five years of marriage but remained on good terms. They had two daughters, Stacy Margaret Keathley and Diane Lynn Keathley. Stacy lives in Carrolton, Georgia with her husband Jim and their two sons, Mason and Cole. Diane lives in Austin. Mo is also survived by his sister Peggy McCorkle, her husband Bill and their children Ray, Rob and Eileen and by his brother Joe, his wife Pat and their children Kelly and Kim. Mo enjoyed the love and support of his family. He was devoted to their well-being. An avid runner who completed several marathons, including the Austin Marathon in 1978, Mo encouraged his friends to run with him and introduced many overweight executives to the joys of running. An executive of the Prudential Insurance Company of America for most of his career, he retired in 1986 and remained active in the company's retired employees association. After retirement Mo enjoyed a rich life in Austin. He was a founder of The Phoenix, a popular social group in Austin. He served as president of the group in 1989 and as a member of its executive committee for a number of years. In 1989 Mo was named Austin's "Bachelor of the Year". This was a distinction he particularly enjoyed and he maintained his bachelor status in hopes of a second award. Mo traveled extensively with friends from Rice and from his professional years. He frequently attended summer classes at Trinity College, Oxford University. He also traveled with his brother Joe to exotic locations to view solar eclipses. He and his close friend, David Sain, were founding members of the Geezer Group, a lunch gathering of local distinction. He assured his friends who were not in the group that the only the most intellectual of topics were discussed. Mo enjoyed the love and companionship of several wonderful cats over his life. His last cat was Rocket, a particularly intrepid ranch cat. Rocket predeceased Mo by one month. Mo enjoyed working on home improvement projects, carried out with the able help of his friend James Baker. He also found pleasure in complex crossword puzzles, fine wines, good books, photography and the sharing of jokes with friends. Mo delighted in his time with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, sharing with them the wisdom of the Good Old Days. In a book of advice for the children of one of Mo's good friends, Mo offered the simple wisdom: "Do right!" That was how Mo approached each day of his life. His family and friends will miss his wisdom, grace and caring. They rejoice in the years of his presence. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.