Building their future one day at a time

Hi everyone, my name is Joseph Keator Jr.

I’ll start off by saying that typing this out laying in his bed it would’ve never crossed my mind in a million years he’d be gone. It’s truly difficult to find the right words to articulate what I’m feeling and trying to say.. so here I go..

Just recently my family and I lost a very important piece to our puzzle of life, his name was Adam Louis Keator. My little brother. He was a father, a son, a cousin, a nephew, a legit angel. I cannot stress that enough.

Unexpectedly he passed away on October 25, 2021. He is survived by his two beautiful children oldest daughter Ayvah Keator (14) and youngest son Adrian Keator (6) who mind you, are the epitome of who my brother truly was. He and our mother (Holly Castagner) raised these kids also being a single dad most of their lives here in Wilmington NC. They’ve had an amazing father, mentor, teacher, and most importantly a best friend growing up all of their lives. I cannot begin to tell you how much of Adam I see in both of them. It brings me to my knees still how much of a true statement that truly is. They were his life, he gave them life, and they also gave him theirs. Losing their father is obviously a tragedy and going to be a difficult road to take for a long time.

So I wanted to start this fundraiser to set their minds at ease, along with my families as well. Who Adam has always been there for even when he couldn’t. He had hopes, dreams, and of course goals for all of his family as he was growing older. Money and finances were always a struggle but somehow they made it happen even if he had to go without for months at a time. It’s difficult for me to wrap my head around why he was taken so young… I don’t think I’ll ever get that answer but that’s expected. One thing that will be answered is their prayers to bring him back in whatever capacity they can get. Standing in the background watching my brother raise my niece and nephew made me so proud as an older brother and uncle. I personally do not have an children, so to be able to live vicariously through him and them was his gift to me and literally how it was meant to be. He knew there would possibly be a day that I’d have to step into his shoes and continue the legacy he had created for them. Obviously I didn’t know nor my parents (Joseph Keator Sr. his father, Holly Castagner his mother, Melanie Keator his step-mother, Paulina Oakes his older sister, and Chelsea Keator his younger sister) did or his other family members, countless friends, coworkers, and anyone else that knew him over the 38 beautiful years he was gifted upon this earth that he’d be taken from all us.

My parents had a great relationship with my brother, both of them different in their own ways. Our mother had lived with Adam and the children here in Wilmington, NC for 14+yrs. while our father has resided in our hometown of Laurens, NY. where my brother and I grew up. Of course the daily dynamic was changed recently but will not be forgotten. I can’t imagine how it feels for them losing a son. I literally cannot. From my mom helping him out while he’s on the road for work picking the kids up from school, taking them to their events, and just all around being kind of a second parent to them. To the daily phones calls and FaceTime, Skype, infrequent visits and countless other methods of interaction back to my dad in NY trying to figure out how he did it for him and I growing up. To make sure he was doing it right. Well I think he did it right and is continuing to do it right looking down now on us all. I feel his presence to this very second even writing this out. Adam will be remembered in so many different ways by so many different people, but none the less he will be remembered as the best father and son any child or parent could have.

Many of you may know me and know the relationship my brother and I had. It was rocky at times and could’ve seemed like it went south more often than not. I think that’s what kept us so close though, because at the end of the day we could say to ourselves no matter what we were blood and we’d be there for each other no matter the circumstances. This holds so true in these last few days and now the foreseeable future for me. I’ve got my brothers back, I truly do. I will make sure these children, my mom, my dad, my second mom, and both of my sisters will always be taken care of. My brother has so many ideas and goals he had set for his kids. The amount of time, money, blood, sweat, and tears he spent with them made me want kids of my own just so I could have him see how good of job he did by showing me I could be a great dad too, maybe someday… I will be now an even bigger part in my niece and nephews lives. I will continue the ways he had instilled to show them how to be strong and courageous as they now grow up without their dad. My brother always said if anything ever happened he knew they would be ok, because Joey would be there. There is no question that’s going to be the case from here on out.

With all of this being said and seriously so much more could be, I’m extending my thoughts and feelings for myself and my family right now. I’m saying thank you, thank you for all the love and support anyones given him over the years he was with us. That doesn’t mean we have to stop, we’ve got a long road ahead of all of us. Adam always said all roads lead to somewhere, and I promise you bro your children's road will never end. As long as I am able to be blessed with this opportunity, I will not let them down, nor will I let you down.

In closing I’d like to recognize the strength, courage, and patience my parents, sisters, friends and family have shown me throughout this most difficult time. They know I’ve taken on the responsibility to uphold what he would has given his kids and will continue to for the rest of their lives. Basically assuming his life and responsibilities, financial, educational, etc. Thank you also to anyone else out there that knew him in whatever way you did. You shaped my brother to be a warrior. His life will live on and live free, free of all his demons and his indiscretions. I loved my brother, I still feel like he’s here. I know it’ll take time to absorb all of this but for the ones (and you know who you all are) that continue to give a shoulder to lean on, I thank you, and I love each and everyone of you for it. As does he.

I see you, I hear you, I feel you, but most importantly I love you..

ALK 3/15/83-10/25/21 ❤️ the time it took for an angel to get his wings… soar above, brother. I’ve got you!