[nfb-talk] Larry McKeever's Obituary

[Michael D. Barber]

--
Cordially,
Michael D. Barber, President
National Federation of the Blind 
of
Iowa
LARRY MCKEEVER
published on September 06, 2007
Larry A. McKeever, 77, of Windsor Heights, died Tuesday, September 4, at
Kavanagh House, 56 Street, Des Moines. Larry was well known for his many
talents including narrating, commercials, recording and acting. He will
be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. Larry was born in Duluth,
MN, to Franklin R. and Bernice A. McKeever, both social workers. His
father was a United Way executive. During Larry's early years the family
lived in several different cities around the U.S.A. He attended
Darlington School for Boys in Rome, GA, his last two years of high
school. In 1951, he graduated from Northwestern University School of
Speech and Drama. Larry next worked on air for radio and TV stations in
Albuquerque, NM, Kansas City, MO, and then KRNT/KCCI, Des Moines, from
1955 to 1962. In Des Moines, Larry met his partner and wife of 45 years,
Mariam. They spent a year in New York City and then, at the invitation
of an Australian friend, moved to Sydney where they worked on stage and
in TV production. They returned to Des Moines in 1964. Larry managed a
classical music radio station until requested by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan of
the Iowa Commission for the Blind to work as his assistant. This was the
beginning of a 39 year membership for Larry in the NFB, the National
Federation of the Blind. Larry next spent two years as Technical
Director for the Des Moines Community Playhouse while Mariam was
Children's Theater Director. Both often appeared on the Playhouse stage.
They began doing radio and TV commercials and in 1968 opened Des Moines'
first professional recording studio and talent agency, Lariam
Associates, Inc., at 515 28th Street. This was also the year Larry began
to read the monthly "Braille Monitor" for the NFB. Over 15 years he
became known throughout the U.S. and the world as the "voice of the
blind." He recorded NFB Conventions annually through 1986 and in 1996 he
became Dr. Jernigan's assistant at yearly Conventions until Dr.
Jernigan's death in 1999. In 2002, he was given the Bonnell Award for
service at the NFB of Iowa Annual State Convention. He went on to assist
Mrs. Jernigan at national annual Conventions until 2005. For Books on
Tape of California, Larry read over 120 unabridged titles. Many of these
audio books can still be found in local libraries. He also read for the
Library of Congress, IRIS radio and most recently for the Iowa
Commission for the Blind. In 2007, the Iowa Department for the Blind
presented him with an Exemplary Service Award for lasting contributions
to the 1DB Library-Audio Books. Larry's titles include 21 full length
and abridged books for Deseret Books, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, and over
120 titles of shorter novels and stories for California companies
providing material for reading impaired students. Until very recently he
continued to record books, narrations and commercials for businesses and
organizations. He also produced sound for plays and the music for
several dance studios and local theater productions. Larry will also be
remembered as co-owner and producer of over 110 shows at Des Moines'
first successful dinner theater, Charlie's Showplace. While the
McKeevers were both operating their recording studio, they were asked to
produce a play for a "new" entertainment idea - dinner combined with a
show - by the manager of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. After
three sold out shows there, the McKeevers decided to investigate the
market to open a full-time theater of their own. The result was
Charlie's Showplace which opened in the remodeled original Orthodox
Synagogue at 5th and University on September 26, 1973. A professional
acting company and staff offered 5 to 8 dinners and shows a week until
December 31, 1984. Mariam was producer/director/manager, and Larry was
genial host/technical director/wine steward. Both acted in many of the
shows. When Charlie's closed, Larry returned to full-time recording and
talent work. He had acting roles in 3 feature films: "Cold Turkey,"
"Return To Hannibal" and "Gone In The Night." He liked to brag that he
never retired, and he didn't. His voice will continue to be heard
through many books read and recordings made. Larry's body was cremated.
His ashes will be scattered in the Pacific Ocean. His influence and
accomplishments will be carried in many hearts forever. A memorial
service is planned for the future. Larry is survived by his wife Mariam,
pets Punkin, Meerkat and Twinkle Toes and an extended family of
children, grandchildren and friends around the world. Instead of
flowers, please contribute any memorials to the National Federation of
the Blind (NFB), 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore, MD, 21230, or Hospice
of Central Iowa, 401 Railroad Avenue, WDM, IA 50265.