Keith Alexander Donnelly

Keith Alexander Donnelly, age 81, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 5 with family members nearby. Keith fought a valiant fight against the cancer that ravaged his body.

Keith’s parents owned part interest in the State Theater and Tennessee Theater in downtown Johnson City and a drive-in in Jonesborough. This very early exposure to “film noir” films was a catalyst that later shaped his writing career.

Keith was born in Johnson City, TN on April 28, 1944. He attended public schools and was a member of the Science Hill High School Class of 1962. While at SHHS he was very involved in the Music Department singing in the Glee Club and Boy’s Chorus. He graduated from East Tennessee State University in 1967 with a degree in Economics and History. After graduation from ETSU, Keith joined the Management Training Program at Kingsport Press and trained in all departments to educate him in all facets of preparing books to be printed. This early education in book manufacturing paved the way for a long career in Print Manufacturing Sales. He joined the Sales Service Department at the Kingsport Plant and moved to the New York Sales Office in 1974 living in CT and commuting into New York City where he worked for several other companies including Arcata Graphics, Rand-McNally and Bookcrafters/Lithographers finally settling in at Maple-Vail Book Group where Keith retired from Maple-Vail after 25 years.

While living in Stamford CT, Keth was a devoted member of Springdale United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir. Commuting early and late to NYC did not leave much time for extracurricular activities. However, when Keith moved to Wilton, CT in 1984 he did enjoy coaching Pop Warner Football and became involved at Zion’s Hill United Methodist Church where he and his wife transferred their membership. They became United Methodist Youth Fellowship leaders and enjoyed doing that for many years, helping to shape young lives. They got to see the fruits of their labor as the “kids” grew into adulthood and continue to stay in touch as mature adults with families of their own.

It was in Wilton and with this UMYF group that Keith found his “true passion.” At 40 years old he learned to downhill ski along with his son, Ryan. This became a favorite pass time with Ryan as well as with his youngest granddaughter, Caroline, over the last 15 years. Skiing proved to be a catalyst for bonding friendships and cultivating new ones both far and near for many years to come.

Keith moved back to East Tennessee in 1992 to open a Southeast Regional Sales Office for Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing Group. Keith again transferred to another small Methodist Church; Gatlinburg United Methodist Church where he and his wife again took up the gauntlet and lead another UMYF group enjoying among other things an annual rafting trip on the Ocoee River in NC.

At the Gatlinburg Community Center Keith was introduced to the game of pickleball. A former tennis player, he fell in love with the game immediately. He continued to play for as long as his body would allow. He had a regular group of guys and gals he played with and prided himself on being the most senior player in the group. He played as much as he could and participated at the highest-level winning men’s doubles at the Tennessee District Senior Olympics.

Keith retired from the book manufacturing field in 1998 to devote himself to writing full-time. The books he has written and published now include the 8-book series: The Donald Youngblood Mystery Series, a 3-book “stand alone” series: Youngblood Stories and his latest release a Youngblood Novel. All books are still in print.

After the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfires Keith and his family decided to come home to Kingsport, transferring their church membership to St. Matthew Unted Methodist Church where Keith was in a contemporary Christian band, called “Secondhand Shoes.” He shared his voice and his guitar playing with this group and thoroughly enjoyed making music with this group of Christian musicians. He also sang in the traditional choir. He was a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee.

Keith was predeceased by his father and mother, James Robert Donnelly and Geraldine Campbell Donnelly and his brother, Robert Lynn Donnelly.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa “Tessa” Marshall Donnelly of Kingsport and children, Michele Donnelly Ford (Tom) of Kingsport, Keith Alexander Donnelly II (Barbara) of Beacon Falls CT, Leigh Ann Donnelly Black (Ron) of Johnson City and Ryan Marshall Donnelly of Collierville, TN.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Olivia Ford Rizzo of Brooklyn, NY, Hannah Mae Ford of Union NJ, Jordan Alexandria Black of Johnson City and Caroline Grace Donnelly of Starkville, MS. And one great grandson; August Jack Rizzo of Brooklyn NY.

Calling Hours will be at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, 117 E. Charlemont Avenue, Kingsport TN on Friday, February 20 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 2505 Nathan Street 37664, Kingsport TN on Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 PM with Pastor Melissa Malcolm officiating.

Interment will follow Immediately at East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport TN 37664.

A Reception with family and friends will be held in the St. Matthew United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall after the Interment.

A sincere thank you from the family of Keith Donnelly to Kanishka Chakraborty MD and Erin Thomas, FNP-BC and other staff members for all the loving care that he received at Tennessee Cancer Specialists, Kingsport TN.