George Francis Kealy

On October 18, 2016, George Francis Kealy left the confines of his earthly life and entered his eternal life. He is now celebrating in heaven with his Lord Jesus and his family and loved ones that have gone before him.

He was born September 20, 1942 in Sidney, Nebraska to Lawrence and Florentine Kealy. He grew up in a large family with eight siblings, that loved the outdoors – hunting, fishing, camping, the ocean and other outdoor activities. George himself was a sharpshooter. It was also during his growing up years that he discovered his passion for working on and servicing cars. His favorite was working with his brother-in-law Gene Chafin at Gene’s auto body paint and repair shop in California.

In 1959, he joined the US Navy. George loved his life as a Navy seaman. His time in the military was always very dear to his heart. He was a great patriot and loved and honored America and all that America represents. After being honorably discharged in 1963, he lived and worked a variety of jobs in California for many years. In addition to working at Ford Motor Company, he worked for several years at a security company where he trained and worked with security dogs, including his own companion and co-worker, a German shepherd named Ringo. That was one of his all-time favorite jobs and hobbies.

George then moved to Sunnyside, WA where he met and married his wife Gloria (Burton) Kealy. He attended Yakima Valley College for four years and earned his degree in Radiological Technology. They lived in Sunnyside, WA for 18 years during which time George worked at Sunnyside General and Sunnyside Community Hospitals. While living and working in Sunnyside, he developed a love for gardening and landscaping. He loved wood-working projects, as well as building fences, decks and other things around his home. He was always thinking of new projects, new things to build, cars to repair, and anything else that involved working with his hands.

In 1982, their daughter Bonni (Kealy) Dichone was born. Life with his daughter and wife became his main focus and priority for the rest of his life. George loved music of all kinds which made it easy for him to enjoy his daughter’s involvement in ballet, classical piano, and other art forms.

In 1989, the family moved to Spokane, WA where George worked at the VA Hospital and Sacred Heart Medical Center until he retired in May 2015. George, although a seemingly quiet, reserved and private person, loved people. He especially loved working with the veterans at the hospital. He was very attached to many of the patients, but even more so considered his co-workers to be his dearest friends. The same can be said of his strong feelings for his neighbors and other friends.

George also loved spectator sports, especially car races, football, college basketball, and baseball. He loved rooting for the Nebraska Corn Huskers, the 49ers, and was a loyal WSU Cougar fan.

Most recently, George enjoyed playing games on the computer and reconnecting with his family on Facebook. In the last year, especially, it was meaningful for him to connect with them and see their pictures and posts.

George was a man of great faith. For many years he was very active in his local church, serving as an usher and in many other capacities. He had a personal deep love for and relationship with Jesus Christ.

George is survived by his wife Gloria (Burton) Kealy; daughter Bonni (Kealy) Dichone, Ph.D.; and son-in-law Paulo Dichone. He is also survived by his sisters Pat Chafin, Donna Anderson, Kathleen Garcia, Colleen Seifried, Sharon Kealy and brother Bill Kealy and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N Monroe, Spokane, WA, on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, 11 AM, followed by a catered reception. That same day military honors and comital will occur at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery, 21702 W Espanola Rd., Medical Lake, WA, 2:15 PM.

The Dash

by Linda Ellis copyright 1996

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth

and spoke the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

the cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what’s true and real

and always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

and more often wear a smile,

remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,

with your life’s actions to rehash…

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent YOUR dash?

Arrangements under the direction of Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, Spokane, WA.