CAROLINA BEACH — Richard Keith Klukas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on April 24, 2026, at the age of 74 with his loving wife Kathy at his side.
Keith was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on May 23, 1951, to Robert Howard Klukas and Mary Frances Klukas (nee Sparrow) and was raised in Chapel Hill, NC with his sister Linda Klukas and brother Bobby Klukas.
Keith ran his own successful autobody shop in Chapel Hill, Klukas Paint and Body, for many years. In the early 1980s, Keith fell in love with Carolina Beach on a family vacation and subsequently moved with his family to Pleasure Island.
Arriving in Carolina Beach during the 1980s condominium construction boom, he started and operated an earthmoving business, Pleasure Island Backhoe and Hauling Service, and later worked as an Autobody Technician for many years at several local autobody repair shops.
Keith loved having a good time and found many ways to do so! He loved music and was fond of playing his guitar and harmonica and making his friends and family laugh by singing silly songs (think You Never Even Called Me by My Name or Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer) or by creating his own funny lyrics to existing songs. He loved shag dancing or doing a two-step with his wife Pam and on more than one occasion they won competitions.
He loved hanging out with his friends and family on the Boardwalk at Charles and Mabel’s, the Longbranch, and Loretta’s, having a drink, watching his son play pool, and spending time with people he loved.
He also loved fishing and spending time on the North End, where he spent a great deal of time. He was jokingly nicknamed “Cletus” and the “Mayor of the North End” due to his frequent presence there and for pulling his own custom, self-built camper trailer (the Cletus Shack) to the beach.
Keith will also be remembered for his willingness to give his time to help children. He chaperoned many dances on the island and donated to many worthy causes anonymously over the years. He also famously competed in the Missed Pleasure Island pageant to support local children, where people laughed until their faces hurt at his talent show performance of “You Ain’t Woman Enough To Take My Man” or the horror on his face when he realized he had won the pageant.
Keith was predeceased by his mother Mary and father Bob, by his brother Bobby and sister Linda, and by his wife Pamela Rosemary Klukas (nee Johnson), son Robert “Bobby” Keith Klukas, and daughter Kimi Rene Garside (husband Craig).
He is survived by his wife Kathy, his daughter Angela Dawn Maness (husband Joe), his granddaughters Madison Raine Dew (husband Chris), Eva Brooke Maness, and his grandson Benjamin Lee Maness.
Keith did not want to have anyone to make a fuss over him when he passed away and he insisted he didn’t want to have a funeral or memorial.
In lieu of sending flowers, please add his family and loved ones to your prayers and raise a glass in his honor and remember all the good times shared with him.
