John David "JD" Keith

Following a long and valiant battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease, on September 25, 2012 John David "JD" Keith passed away peacefully at his home in Cumming with his beloved mother, Renee by his side. Welcoming him in Heaven are his father, Jean Skipper Keith, and grandparents, Jean T. Keith, Styles Edward Caldwell, Sr. and Julia Lorraine Caldwell.



John David was born in Atlanta, GA on August 29, 1967. An avid reader and ardent lover of the arts, his story echoes the Shakespearean tragedies he so loved in life. After his father passed away when he was just two-years-old, John was raised by his mother and their ever-present support system of family. Naturally graced with athleticism and stalwart team spirit, he quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the football fields of Ridgeview and North Springs High Schools and Riverside Military Academy. It was in the grass and mud of these stadiums that he forged many lifelong friendships that would see him through darker days ahead. With the handsome face and brooding nature of James Dean and Marlon Brando rolled into one, he charmed many hearts but never married. He found his greatest happiness on some of Atlanta's finest golf courses, and became a highly respected PGA Club Pro before being struck down in 2008 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)