Deacon Kevin Tracy

A life of extraordinary gladness, commitment and service concluded on March 5, 2025 as Kevin Francis Tracy joined his Heavenly Father. He passed peacefully at Addington Place in Alpharetta, Georgia surrounded by family, music, and love. Kevin was born on November 5, 1954 in Perry, Iowa. The fourth of six children in his Irish Catholic family, he found ways to stand out through academic achievement and talent for performance. He attended Catholic schools in Des Moines, Iowa and graduated from Dowling High School in 1973. He studied at Drake University, earning a Bachelor's of Science in Business Administration. While at Drake, and nearly 50 years to the day before his death, he met Sandra Lee McKee. The couple were married on August 14th, 1976 and moved into a teeny-tiny house in Des Moines, Iowa. There they welcomed two daughters, Renee Elizabeth in 1979 and Sheila Marie in 1981. Kevin found he excelled at working with the cutting-edge technology known as computers. In 1983, Kevin accepted a job with Information Systems of America in Atlanta, Georgia, building software for insurance companies. He would work at ISA off and on until 2001. The whole family enjoyed their new home, finding acceptance amongst the small but growing community at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Kevin would serve this church for 40 years, giving his time, talent and treasure to singing in the choir, serving as Grand Knight and District Deputy for the Knights of Columbus, mentoring engaged couples, training altar servers, teaching adult education, leading stewardship efforts, performing in musicals, sponsoring candidates for confirmation, directing traffic in the parking lot, lighting and tending the Easter Vigil fire, and more ministries and organizations than could possibly be listed here. In 1996, Kevin participated in his first Cursillo weekend. The experience led him to deepen his commitment to his faith by answering the call to become a Deacon. After 4 years of training, study and prayer, Kevin was ordained on February 24, 2001. He was assigned to serve at his beloved St. Thomas, performing baptisms, funerals and weddings, including the union of his daughter Sheila to her husband Evan McBrayer in 2007. In 2012, he earned a certificate of Spiritual Direction from Spring Hill College. He used this training to counsel fellow deacons and community members in faith and wisdom. Not content with serving only through his ministry, Kevin transitioned to a career in non-profit administration. He worked as the Volunteer Coordinator at North Fulton Community Charities and as staff at 3 different churches (St. Thomas Aquinas, Transfiguration in Marietta and St. Peter Chanel in Roswell). In his limited but appreciated free moments, Kevin knew how to have a good time. He enjoyed golf and playing cards with friends. He was active in community theater, playing various roles including Bob Cratchit in multiple productions of A Christmas Carol. Kevin was devoted to his family and friends. He loved kids, entertaining them with dramatic story readings and silly cartoon voices. He was a caring and supportive "Sweetheart" "Daddy" and "Papa," with a steadfast kind of unconditional love inspired by his faith. In 2019, Kevin was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Though it became harder to speak and remember, it didn't diminish his easy smile and caring nature. He charmed the staff at Addington Place, where he moved in September 2024 when he needed more help. He packed a tremendous amount of life and love into his 70 years on this Earth. Through it all, his commitment to service and his unwavering faith in God were at the heart of everything he said and did. He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Loretta (Riley) Tracy, his oldest brother Mike Tracy and sister-in-law Marj (Myers) Tracy, his mother-in-law Dorothy (Mullin) McKee Powers, and his granddaughter Maura Sophia Keilman. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Sandy, his daughters Renee and Sheila, his son-in-law Evan, his grandchildren Owen Kenneth McBrayer and Abby Grace McBrayer. His siblings and their spouses: Howard and Liz (Tracy) Stewart, Tim and Diane (Staiert) Tracy, Brian and Marcie (Metheny) Tracy, and Chuck Tracy, along with 59 nieces/nephews/grandnieces/grandnephews. His list of close friends and chosen family would more than double the length of this article, with people whose lives he has touched approaching uncountable. The funeral will be at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (Alpharetta) on Friday March 14th, 9:30 am Visitation and Prayer service at Northside Chapel (Roswell) on Thursday, March 13th from 6-8pm In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North Fulton Community Charities. https://nfcchelp.org/ We are so grateful to have known him, learned from him, loved him, and been loved by him. "Well done, my good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:23

Deacon Kevin Tracy

November 5, 1954 - March 5, 2025