Jose Luis Keyes ’94 Dies on February 8

The Reverend Dr. Jose L. Keys dies on February. The family welcomes anyone to write to his family any thoughts about him. You may click on Journal on the left and write what they like. The site is: http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/JLKeyes/homepage.aspx

The Reverend Dr.Jose Luis Keyes moved to New York City from Puerto Rico, in 1947 to pursue his collegiate studies in music at the conservatory. He accepted his calling into the Ministry at 19 years of age when he converted to the Protestant faith in the Hermosa Church, an experience that would  so impact his life and family that it was the catalyst that generated his life of service to the Lord for the remainder of his life. He was called into Military service and served in the Korean war from 1950 to 1952. 

When he returned from the Korean war, he met his wife Gladys and together they faithfully entered into lifelong Ministry, serving in the church  in many capacities, musically with a  his tremendous musical gifts of choral directorship, creative translations of musical lyrics into Spanish accompanied with instrumental diversity as well as his gifted scriptural interpretation and delivery.  With his wife singing along side  him, they influenced many other musicians and enhanced the spread of the gospel throughout the Latin American community in New York City as well as in the Caribbean with various musical tours. He became an English Professor and taught at the City University alongside his sister Clarita for many years. However this turned out to be his part-time work as his passion was in ministerial work  where he devoted his energy  throughout  during the years he was teaching as well.

Dr. Keyes gift for interpreting  scripture was not eclipsed by his musical gifts.  He learned biblical Greek and Hebrew in order to gain an in depth understanding of scripture in order to bring the fullest interpretation to his parishioners each Sunday.  He mused on the word of the Lord and delighted in the subtleties of its message.  He was kind when confronted with controvertial issues  and delighted in academic debate with colleagues over scriptural topics.

He was well educated having received a Master of Arts from CUNY, a Master of Divinity from the NY Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Education from Columbia University. 

But most of all he loved the Lord, his family and life.  He was ready to return to his Lord because he had lived his life to the fullest.  He had been a faithful servant even to the last hour on this earth and was prepared to return to his Lord.  We will miss him but we should not mourn his passing because he assured us with the message of his life, that his Lord would receive him in the life hereafter.

He is survived by his wife Gladys, his three sons, David, Howard and Cedric and their wives, Joan, Christine  and his grandchildren Jessica, Julie, Jonathan, and Michael.