William N. Keene, chairman of Edson International in New Bedford, Mass., is saddened to inform the industry of the death of his son William “Tucker” Keene on June 11 in Albuquerque, N.M., where he lived and worked as communications director for the Republican Party of New Mexico.
Keene was 25. The family said in an obituary that he was “well respected in his world of politics and admired for living by self-imposed strong values.”
After graduating in 2014 from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Keene worked for Greg Abbott’s victorious campaign for governor of Texas. He was subsequently hired by Delisi Communications in Austin, Texas, before accepting the position with the Republican Party in New Mexico.
Keene received bachelor’s degrees in political science, public policy and economics from SMU. He worked for his college newspaper, The Daily Campus, as a contributing editor, opinion editor, and ultimately as managing editor.
He was one of 35 students among his class of 1,500 to be awarded the 2014 Dorothy Amann Award for Outstanding Service in recognition of his significant contribution to the wider community of SMU.
“Tucker was passionate not only about politics, but also gourmet cooking and craft beers,” the family said in the obituary. “He often treated co-workers with his culinary creations and was credited as a knowledgeable and generous participant in the growing craft beer community.”
He is survived by his father, William N. Keene, and stepmother Frances Keene, of Dartmouth, Mass.; his mother, Cindy H. Keene, of Somerset, Mass.; and brother Spencer B. Keene, of Norwood, Mass., and stepsister Sarah Aikman, of Dartmouth, Mass.
He is also survived by his grandfather, Henry R. Keene Sr., of Dedham, Mass., and aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Friends Academy, 1088 Tucker Road, North Dartmouth, Mass., on Sept. 9 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the William Tucker Keene Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Community Foundation of S.E. Massachusetts, 30 Cornell St., New Bedford, MA 02740.
