Patrick David Keating

TRAVELERS REST, SC - Patrick David "Coach Keating" Keating, 61, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2025.

Born in Canton, IL, Coach Keating was a son of the late John Patrick and Miquela Marie Hawkins Keating. Pat was a devoted husband, father, coach, and educator; yet nothing brought him more pride or joy than being a “PaPa” to his 3 grandsons Harry, JP, and Jamie. He was a walking encyclopedia of sports knowledge and a loyal lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. While he loved all sports, basketball was special to Pat. His love of basketball was passed down to him by his father. To many, Pat was simply Coach Keating, famous for the nicknames he gave his students. His influence on generations of students across Aiken County is widely known and deeply felt. Pat began his career in education as a teacher and assistant coach, earning a state championship women’s high school basketball title at South Aiken High School. He dedicated many years to serving students as a P.E. teacher, basketball coach, track coach, and Athletic Director at Aiken High School. His commitment to education later led him into administration, where he briefly served as an Assistant Principal at North Augusta High School and Aiken High School before becoming the Principal of Wagner Sally High School. He enjoyed all of his roles, but he took great pride in his position as Director of Adult Education. Even in retirement, he couldn’t stay away from his passion for education, and returned to Graniteville Elementary as a PE teacher, again.

He finally truly retired to Travelers Rest with his wife, his cherry chapstick, his black Folgers coffee, his fleece vests, and a part-time job on a golf course.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Cindy Marie Keating; children, Rebecca Keating Kitchings (Josh), Morgan Elizabeth Long (Nathan); step-children, Mary Megan Munschy, Aiden Mac Munschy; grandchildren; Harrison William Kitchings, John Patrick Kitchings, James Edward Long; siblings, Michael James Keating (Amy), Erin Anne Keating.

In addition to his parents, Coach Keating was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher (Casey) John Keating.

The family will receive friends on Monday, December 29th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC 29801. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations to be made to Aiken County Public School District.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801