Joshua Michael Keck

Joshua Michael Keck

May 8, 2004 - June 30, 2025

With very heavy hearts family members and friends share news of the death of Joshua Michael Keck, whose short life of 21 years was a gift from God. He was a very impactful blessing and bright light in the lives of those who knew him.

Born at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee, Michael grew up in Oak Ridge. He attended Oak Ridge High School and DeKalb County High School. In August 2022, he obtained his High School Equivalency Diploma from the State of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development through the Anderson County Higher Education Center in Clinton, Tennessee. After which he was admitted to Roane State Community College to participate in the Mechatronics Career Certificate Program.

Michael opted to defer higher education while he worked to support himself and save for his future including further education. Michael was smart and learned quickly, and his work ethic set him apart from a lot of his peers. His work history included working at M & W Car Repair, Food City, helping Mrs. Vickie with ongoing yard work, spending the majority of Spring and Summer 2024 helping Mrs. Vickie landscape and prepare her childhood home for sale, and then helping his dear grandmother, Gail, as she recovered from a major medical scare. At the time of his death, Michael was employed at Oakey’s Sports Grill in Oak Ridge. Some of his favorite interests were playing basketball, running, helping others, video gaming, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

Throughout his life Michael was a good, honest, kind, gentle, respectful, likable, thankful, easy to get along with person who always gave more than he got, and he took nothing and no one for granted. His heart was tender, sincere, compassionate, faithful, slow to anger and quick to forgive. A man of few words, Michael wasn’t into gossip, or talking behind people’s backs. He was a good person who put effort into being a good son, a good brother, a good grandson, a good friend, a good neighbor, and a good worker. And, if he ever told you he loves you, he still means it.

Always wanting well for his family and friends, Michael prayed regularly for them. His favorite Bible passages were John 3:16, Psalm 23, and The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-14.

This world needs more people like Michael, which is even more reason his untimely death hurts so much.

Michael was predeceased by his paternal great grandparents Randall and Wanda Collins; paternal grandfather, Michael Keck; paternal aunt, April LaWanna Keck; maternal grandfather Gary Leach; and maternal uncle, Jessie Leach.

He is survived by his mother, Tracy Boring; father, Kevin Keck; paternal grandmother, Gail Keck; maternal grandmother, Jennifer Leach; maternal great grandmother, Lavada Ausmus; brother, Cameron Leach; sister, Cadence Boring; brother, Bradley Keck; stepfather Tim Boring; stepmother Amanda Keck; beloved dogs Lily and Runt, whom he considered his personal family; paternal great aunt Sheila and paternal great uncle James Caldwell, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins; maternal great aunt Brenda (Nana) and maternal great uncle Gene Ausmus; maternal aunt Stacy Frank; maternal aunt Christie Leach; maternal uncle Jeremy Davis; maternal step-grandfather, Charlie Boring; maternal step-grandfather Thomas Herrell and step-grandmother, Crystal Herrell; special cousin, Ashera Skyler, as well as many friends.

John 3:16 tells us,

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

June 30, 2025 does not mark the end of Michael’s story, rather it marks the end of the beginning of his story.

Isn’t it wonderful that God provides eternal life for us if we believe in Him and His Son Jesus, and Michael believes!!!  What a glorious reunion God has in store for all of us who believe!!!

Michael IS in our future.

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Michael’s home church, Speedwell Freewill Baptist Church on Free Will Lane, Speedwell, Tennessee, will host receiving of friends at 1:00 p.m., and Michael’s Celebration of Life Service will occur at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Randy Hurst officiating. A reception will be held afterwards in the Church Fellowship Hall.

Arnett & Steele Valley Chapel in Harrogate is honored to be serving the family of Michael Keck.