John Allen Keats
April 22, 1940 ~ January 10, 2018
John A. Keats
On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, John A. Keats passed peacefully at home in Great Falls, Virginia. He was 77.
John received his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1962 and his J.D. from Catholic University in 1966. He was admitted to practice in the District of Columbia in 1967 and the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1972. He practiced law for 50 years, most recently in the firm of Keats & Meleen, PLC. He was an experienced trial lawyer in State and Federal courts, and served as an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy beginning in 1988. He was most at home on his feet in the courtroom and was honored to serve as a substitute judge in the State District Courts of Northern Virginia.
John was an avid outdoorsman and hunter, a skilled horseman, and a gifted guitarist who blessed us with his presence and humor. He was member of several social clubs and organizations, including the Single Action Shooting Society where he was known as “Lonesome Polecat.” He was a long-standing member of the Fairfax Hunt Club and a life-time member of the NRA.
John is survived by his loving wife, and best friend, Crystal Meleen, his daughter Whitney Murray, his grandchildren and great-grand children; his brothers, Paul (Carla) and Patrick (Lilly) Keats, his sister Joanne Cassullo, and his beloved nephews, Paul (Heather), John (Samantha) and Brendan (Aley). John will be remembered for stewardship to his community, love to his family and friends, and living a full life of education, service and adventure.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 20, 2018 at Our Lady of Hope in Sterling, VA. A reception will follow immediately at the Fairfax Hunt Club in Reston, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Virginia Law Foundation at https://www.virginialawfoundation.org/donate/.
Online condolences and fond memories of John may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, John A. Keats passed peacefully at home in Great Falls, Virginia. He was 77.
John received his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1962 and his J.D. from Catholic University in 1966. He was admitted to practice in the District of Columbia in 1967 and the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1972. He practiced law for 50 years, most recently in the firm of Keats & Meleen, PLC. He was an experienced trial lawyer in State and Federal courts, and served as an instructor for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy beginning in 1988. He was most at home on his feet in the courtroom and was honored to serve as a substitute judge in the State District Courts of Northern Virginia.
John was an avid outdoorsman and hunter, a skilled horseman, and a gifted guitarist who blessed us with his presence and humor. He was member of several social clubs and organizations, including the Single Action Shooting Society where he was known as “Lonesome Polecat.” He was a long-standing member of the Fairfax Hunt Club and a life-time member of the NRA.
John is survived by his loving wife, and best friend, Crystal Meleen, his daughter Whitney Murray, his grandchildren and great-grand children; his brothers, Paul (Carla) and Patrick (Lilly) Keats, his sister Joanne Cassullo, and his beloved nephews, Paul (Heather), John (Samantha) and Brendan (Aley). John will be remembered for stewardship to his community, love to his family and friends, and living a full life of education, service and adventure.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on January 20, 2018 at Our Lady of Hope in Sterling, VA. A reception will follow immediately at the Fairfax Hunt Club in Reston, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Virginia Law Foundation at https://www.virginialawfoundation.org/donate/.
Online condolences and fond memories of John may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
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John,
I will miss you terribly. It is comforting to know you are at peace.
Paul
John,
You were a fantastic mentor and friend. Thank you.
John was an original member of the Big Three in school…John, Chip Collins, and Ken Skinner – they played All-Metropolitan football, basketball, baseball and spent every moment they could at the Hearst Playground in D.C. We all stayed friends for over 65 years and he will be greatly missed.
Clare Cumberland
John was an incredible attorney, mentor, and friend. His sense of humor was unparalleled and he had a heart of gold. He will be terribly missed, not just by me, but by the legal community as a whole. He has had a powerful and positive impact on the lives of so many. May he rest in peace.
John – You were an amazing trial lawyer- I have never seen anyone think more quickly on their feet in court . Years ago, when you and I co- counselled cases, you would make my head spin. And you were an amazing husband to Crystal, and a straight forward, wonderful human being. You will be missed. Helen Leiner
John,
I met you a long time ago when I was a defense lawyer for GEICO. We crossed paths and butted heads over several cases and we even tried one that I can recall. You were a knowledgeable and tough advocate but were always a gentleman. Over the years, we chatted over coffee in the Courthouse Cafe on too many occasions to count. You always had your hand on the pulse of the local Bar and the courthouse. I enjoyed talking with you about everything and nothing for five minutes to thirty minutes. You made many of my days by just being there. Those are the times I will remember with great fondness. You will be sorely missed.
John you will always remain on my mind and in my heart, because you were one of a kind always willing to listen, Thank you. Rest in peace.
Regina E. Eckles
John I will always remember your wisdom, humor, smile and kindness you showed our family. Thank you for all you did for so many. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Debby Elwyn Genevich
What a great and kind man, I highly valued his wisdom and advice, and my son will always remember meeting John and getting firearm advice from him.
John, I tried cases against you, with you and in front of you. The only time I won was when we were at counsel table together. You were there during my darkest time. You helped me gut many a deer and kill many an elk. God broke the mold when he made you. I will deeply miss so many things about you. Most of all, I will miss your friendship. I’ll meet you in the Happy Hunting grounds my friend.
I am saddened by John’s passing and the Legal Community has lost a true Giant in the Law. John was always willing to encourage and strategize with me when I caught him on the phone or at the Courthouse, never told me he was too busy to talk and was always so kind when I had a complex legal argument or legal issue. He was a brilliant legal mind whose ideas and practice pointers made an impact on me and many others. He was an excellent example of a consumate professional in the practice and was a pleasure to watch in the Courtroom. He lived his profession and his compassion ran deep and it was always a pleasure to be around him. He will be missed by me. Crystal I send my deepest condolences and big hugs as I cannot come this weekend. You will be on my mind and in my heart. Lots of Love- Graziella Bianchi
My early hunting days were full of fun with John and his wonderful horse Nugget. He would always be up front. Had so many memories with him from parties to hunting to trail ride bbqs at his place. He was very helpful to the Fairfax Hunt. Great man
Whitney and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. As a childhood friend and fellow horseback rider of Whitney’s, I have very fond memories of John and also his mother.
Many blessings,
Cheri Bass-Wozniak
Didn’t we all feel, when we were in a crowded room with John, that he was just the coolest person there? And how many of us wanted to chat him up only to wait our turn while everyone else had their chance? Probably the toughest civil loss I ever had was when John was my opposing counsel. Didn’t matter; I learned a lesson I never forgot. I expect that a part of his legacy will be the dozens of lawyers and judges who also learned from this most excellent Virginia Lawyer and the thousands of clients who live a better life because of his skill, compassion and devotion.
I’ll miss John. We all will. And Crystal, your entire courthouse family will be there for you. He is loved and so are you.
A sorrowful farewell to John, my erstwhile law partner and longtime friend. I regret not having seen him more in recent years, but the tribulations of very old age have kept me close to home. I have followed his career and many successes in court. He always did what he wanted to do, and he was very good at it. Goodbye old friend.
–Al Ahern
Whitney & John’s Family – many fond memories of years gone by. We shared a lot in 40+ years, including my first horse, Nugget. So glad we re-united following his surgery. Wonderfrul to talk with him.
A great man. He always gave me good advice.
In Sorrow, R.I.P, John,
Brenda Varner Milne
I have just discovered that John passed away. His death is a terrible loss to me. John and I were close friends at Georgetown, and lived together on 25th street when he started law school and his career. He provided enormous assistance to me when my son had several legal problems, without ever sending me a bill. He was one of those friends you assume are always there, and suddenly they are not. John and I had many great times, growing up at GU and after. He was a wonderful friend.
I left Great Falls long ago but was looking up some old friends online this evening and learned of John’s passing. Very sorry to hear that news. John and I were not close but he was one of my favorite acquaintances. Once when I found myself in a bit of trouble I called him to ask his legal advice, he listened to my questions then simply asked “What’s your court date?” When I tried to explain that I could not afford to hire him as counsel, he said “don’t worry about it, just tell me your court date.” Truly one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. After that I would occasionally see him at the pub and if I was leaving before he did I would secretly pay his tab as I was paying mine. I’ll never forget John, his gravelly voice or his truck license plate… “REPROB8”.