Thomas John Kean

Thomas John Kean, 59, of Concho, Arizona passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017 at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona.  He was born on March 4, 1958 to Mike and Beverly Kean in Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York.When Thomas turned 18 he moved to Annapolis, Maryland where he attended the United States Naval Academy for four years.  He then continued his education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona where he received his Masters Degree in Education.  In 1982 he met YunSil Kong in San Diego, California.  They married in 1985 in Mesa, Arizona.  YunSil and Thomas moved to the mountains where he began teaching at Alchesay High School for six years, Concho School for four years and ultimately finishing out his career at Blue Ridge High School.  Thomas taught the AP Mathematics Course.  He was a gifted educator that all of his students looked up to and loved.  Although Thomas and YunSil did not have any children of their own, he loved each of his students as if they were his own, he always said his students were his children.  Thomas not only loved to teach, he had just as much love for his musical talents.  For 17 years, he was the choir director and pianist for the Agape Mission Church in Phoenix, Arizona.  After Thomas and YunSil moved to the mountains, he was privileged to play the piano and sing for the White Mountain United Methodist Church. Thomas is survived by his wife of 32 years, YunSil Kean of Concho; his brother, Tim Kean and sister, Lisa Hardwick.A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 25, 2017 at the Blue Ridge High School Auditorium.