Isaac "Ike" Henry Kearney III

Despite his best intentions and most stubborn efforts, Isaac Henry Kearney III departed the earthly world on Saturday, June 20th.

Ike was the embodiment of joy. His laugh was loud, infectious, and uniquely his, identifiable in any setting by its distinct booming. Ike died as he lived, surrounded by the love of family and friends. He was always the life of the party and often the last to leave a function because he loved his people, he loved celebrating, and he loved life. He was a supernova of a person, so it is fitting that one of his happy places was hurtling through the air in a tiny plane tens of thousands of feet above the ground. The sky is where you’ll find him in perpetuity; he will live within the shooting stars and amongst the twinkling lights.

Ike played hard and worked harder. Born in 1947 in Lexington, North Carolina, Ike achieved his pilot’s license as a teenager, graduated from NC State University in 1969, and was a Captain in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he became an investment banker and had a 37-year love affair with New York City. He considered himself a New Yorker with a southern gentleman’s heart. Ike was so passionate about doing good work that instead of retiring, he decided to re-start his career and build a successful rental car business with Hunter Automotive Group. He loved his work family and the day-to-day business up until the very last minute.

There is no person who delighted in the experience of exquisite food and drink more than Ike Kearney. He was an avid foodie and champion drinker, frequenting Asheville restaurants with his wife Pat and even going on a quest to find the best ice cream scoop in the city (his final verdict was chocolate and peanut butter cup from Hilltop Ice Cream Shop in Fairview). Needless to say, he especially loved sweets. Until the last minutes of his life here on earth, Ike was reveling in the delights of Lauren Wood’s chocolate chip cookies. “Outstanding” is the word he used when food was really, really good – and he used it a lot.

Ike is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Wilson Kearney, and his daughters Janet Kearney Sword, her husband Taylor, and Amy Elizabeth (Beth) Williams, her husband Matthew; and six grandchildren: Grayson Sword, William Sword, Kearney Sword, Gillian Welch, Maeve Williams, and Theo Williams; his brother George Kearney and sister Lynn Rogerson; and a multitude of extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his mother Peggy Phelps Kearney and father Isaac Henry Kearney, Jr.

In Ike’s memory, please be helpful to others, chase the sunlight, and stop to watch the birds. Be the last to leave the party. Notice all the good stuff, because there’s never enough good stuff despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Always look on the bright side. Make the things happen. Be your people’s biggest fan. Show up! Eat with a discerning palate and eat dessert first. Live big. Love big. Even if you’re only 5 foot 5.

The service will be held at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 2pm with a visitation to follow. A raucous celebration fit for Ike will be planned at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ike’s memory to WNC Bridge Foundation.