THE MUSIC IN HEAVEN JUST GOT MUCH BETTER

Legendary musician, Joseph "Joe" Keracher, 100, died Monday in Attalla.

Born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Joe came to Gadsden with the US Army in 1941 to be stationed with the first troops at Camp Sibert in Attalla. While there he met and married the love of his life, Vivian Rose Brown Keracher, whom he met through the GI Josie program. Joe was the lead clarinet and saxophone player in the Army Dance Band.

After being discharged in 1945, he returned to Greensburg, where he apprenticed with the foremost piano technician in the Pittsburgh area. Upon learning there were no piano technicians in Gadsden, he returned to the south. He settled this family in Gadsden in 1949 and lived there until his death in 2018.

Joe Keracher has been a musical ambassador for the city of Gadsden many times. He represented the city in Dixieland bands at two World's Fairs and played for countless civic events, festivals, public concerts, and stage productions with The Kings of Swing. He entertained thousands of people at country club dances, private parties, and venues around Gadsden and north Alabama. His style of New Orleans jazz and old standards was enjoyed by people of all ages. He repaired, tuned and maintained pianos and organs in the majority of the churches and for most of the piano teachers in Gadsden and throughout Etowah and surrounding counties for more than six decades.

His true love and career was as a jazz clarinetist. Joe played with many great musicians in Gadsden including Joe Noojin, Dewey Countryman, Rip Reagan, and Slim Stanford. He played with the Liz Wood Project for the last 15 years of his life. He received an Honorary Degree from Gadsden State Community College for his contributions to and support of the GSCC show band. He performed as guest soloist with the show band on many occasions and served as mentor to numerous student musicians.

Joe lived a very active life. At the age of 99 he was a member of a bowling league and danced at the VFW on Friday nights with his friends. His many hobbies included fly fishing, bowling, golf, dancing, playing with his grandchildren, and playing music with his friends. He was a member of the Senior Men's Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church and formerly served as commander of the American Legion Post 213 in Gadsden. He was Alabama State Bowling Champion for four years in the Age 80 and Above Division. He danced at his 100th birthday party last September.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Rose, his parents, John and Jane Keracher, of Greensburg, PA, brothers, Charles, Johnnie and Ralph, and sister Wanda. He is survived by his son Mike (Jan) Keracher, daughter Karen (Hadden) Smith, granddaughters, Misty (Jeff) Webster, Kerstin (Randy) Lynch, and Jessica (Matt) Crain, grandsons Hadden (Jennifer) Smith and Chris (Destiny) Keracher, four great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, his brother-in-law Jolly (Madeline) Brown, and special friend and dance partner, Billie Hackney.

Special thanks go to the caring staff and residents of Cherry Creek Village, Tina Retzer and the staff of Tender Touch in Home Care, Felicia Davidson and the Hospice staff of Amedysis Hospice, and special care giver, Dixie Minatra.

A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church of Gadsden at 3 p.m. Thursday, February 15, 2018. The family will receive visitors from 1:00-3:00 prior to the service. A private burial will follow at Crestwood cemetery.