David Keyes

January 21, 1945 - September 13, 2022

The Rev. Dr. David Keyes, 77, died peacefully and courageously at home in Santa Monica, surrounded by his family, on September 13, 2022, after bravely enduring the debilitating effects of vascular parkinsonism for too long. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judy Droz Keyes, their daughter Tracy Droz Tragos, son-inlaw Christian Tragos, and grandchildren Charlotte and Sam Tragos; his daughter Tanya Mackenzie, son-inlaw Ian Mackenzie, and grandchildren Ian and David Graham, and Leah Patrick; and his son Paul Keyes and daughter-in-law Christina Keyes.

David was born in Kansas City on January 21, 1945, the son of Carolyn Coberley Keyes and Garland James Keyes. His childhood was spent there and in Gallatin, Missouri with his beloved grandparents, Alpha and Oscar Coberley.

After earning a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri followed by a brief career as a journalist and writer, David attended seminary at the Starr King School for the Ministry. He was ordained to the Unitarian Universalist ministry in 1985. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1997.

For most of his career, David specialized in interim ministry. While maintaining his home in San Francisco, he served churches in Washington D.C., Arlington, Davis, Atlanta, Houston, and St. Louis, among many others. A student of the radical reformation and a devotee of George Huntston Williams under whom he studied at Harvard Divinity School, David was active in international church relations, visiting congregations in Transylvania (Romania), Hungary, India, and the Philippines. In1996-97, he delivered the prestigious Minns Lectures out of which came his book “Most Like an Arch: Building Global Church Partnerships.” David was awarded the Louis J. Cornish “Living the Mission” Award from the UU Partner Church Council in 2013. He retired from ministry in 2016.

David’s family, colleagues, and friends remember his love of baseball (and collection of baseball caps), smiling blue eyes, wry wit, generous spirit, strong opinions, and passion for justice. And in the end, his bravery. A requiem service will be held for David at Grace Cathedral on November 3, 2022, at 2:00 in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of David’s values and commitment to equality, please consider a contribution to https:// wrrap.org/donate/, or an organization like it.