The NFCA was saddened to hear that longtime softball coach John Keyes, who was only recently announced as this year’s recipient of the Donna Newberry “Perseverance” Award, has died at age 68 from health complications.

The award, named for the longtime Muskingum College and 2008 NFCA Hall of Fame coach who died in November 2010 after amassing a 906-419-1 mark over 36 seasons, recognizes an NFCA member coach who has demonstrated extraordinary strength of will and character in the fight to overcome a physical, mental or social adversity that presented an additional challenge to the already demanding job of a coach.

An United States Army veteran-turned-longtime high school and travel ball coach, Keyes, who was nearly killed in 1968, overcame many obstacles and challenges before and during a 44-year coaching career.

Keyes led North Fort Myers (Fla.) High to a 39-12 record over the past two seasons, going deep into the regional playoffs both years.

In 1968, while serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, the tank he was in hit a land mine. The explosion knocked him under the tank, which ran over him, resulting in the loss of his left leg above the knee. After stays in hospitals in Vietnam, Japan and the United States, Keyes developed peritonitis, an often-fatal inflammation of the abdominal lining, and spent 22 additional months in the hospital undergoing over 20 operations.

A former athlete, Keyes, following his release from the hospital, knew he wanted to do something that involved athletics. In 1971, his desire led to a fulfilling and successful coaching career.

Starting in 1996, Keyes held softball head coaching positions at Bishop Verot (Fla.) High, Falmouth (Maine) High and North Fort Myers, while coaching travel ball teams in Maine and Florida. He played an instrumental role in starting the first ASA softball program in Falmouth and guided Florida 14U (third) and 16U (ninth) teams to top-10 finishes at NSA (2013) and ASA (2014) Nationals, respectively.

Keyes began his career as a baseball coach in Florida. After moving to Falmouth, he guided the swimming team to five state championships and also coached soccer. Keyes also coached football and basketball.

In February 2011, he suffered a stroke while being treated for pneumonia. After recovering from the stroke, which affected the fine motor skills in his right hand and peripheral vision on his right side, he went into cardiac arrest that June. Then, after spendingover half the year recovering, Keyes was diagnosed with esophageal cancer that December.

He served on the NFCA’s High School All-America and Recruiting Committees, as well as a member of the Nominating Committee.

Keyes is survived by his wife of 22 years, Marcia; his children Robert and Hollie; stepchildren Melissa, Melonie, Megan and Brian; and 12 grandchildren. A son, Danny, died previously.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Hodges Funeral Home in Fort Myers, Fla. In lieu of flowers, it is asked that contributions be made in his name to support the softball program at North Fort Myers High.