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James A. 'Jim' Keesler Rives Junction, MI QCWA # 34845 Chapter 135 |
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James "Jim" Alfred Keesler flew to his Heavenly Home from Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital on May 22, 2020 at the age of 77 years. Although only diagnosed a year ago, he had suffered a four-year battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP. A neurodegenerative disease that slowly robs you physically and emotionally of your vibrant self.
Born in Lansing, Jim spent his childhood on the family farm in Rives Junction and graduated from Northwest High School, Jackson, Michigan, as a proud member of the Class of 1961. Following graduation, he attended Western Michigan University. After meeting Pamela Gibson, the gal he would marry, they graduated WMU together in 1966. Following graduation, they both joined the Peace Corps and fulfilled a 3 year assignment in Afghanistan. Returning home from the Peace Corps, they settled down in Kalamazoo where life progressed with careers, and eventually, children.
Jim went to work for Fetzer Broadcasting at radio station WKZO "spinning the platters" and running the control room. After about three years, he transitioned to the television station also owned by the Fetzer's, and which became WWMT, and kept Channel 3 running smoothly. In 1985 he became the Assistant Chief Engineer at WWMT, a position he retained until retirement the end of 2008.
Divorce ensued and in 2002 he connected with Jena, someone who was a former farm neighbor, school mate and school bus mate. They married in December, 2004, and Jim moved back to the farm neighborhood where he and Jena helped his new mother-in-law run her family farm.
Jim had a number of likes and hobbies over the years. While still in high school he was a square dance caller although as a dancer he had two left feet. He was interested in Amateur Radio at a young age and obtained his license at the ripe old age of 14. He was the first licensed ham radio operator at Northwest High School. Over the years, he has been awarded many citations. A few of which are the Ronald P. Titus Award for Public Service Communications, Member in Good Standing of The Royal Order of the Wouff Hong, Lifetime Member of ARRL, Honorary Member of Kalamazoo Amateur Radio Club, Lifetime Membership to Cascades Amateur Radio Club, and membership in the Quarter Century Wireless Association. He also received citations and awards from the National Weather Service as an employee of WWMT and as a Skywarn spotter for many years. He also held many offices in each of the Radio Clubs he was involved with as well as teaching licensing classes every year, both in Kalamazoo and Jackson, and he helped with public service communications support for the Red Cross in Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo County Emergency Management as well as an active member of LosTeam of Kalamazoo. Amateur Radio Field Day was a highlight for him every year. He was always involved from beginning of setup to end of the teardown.
His other interests and activities included his church life at First Congregational Church in Kalamazoo where he was an active participant on several boards and with volunteering. He also enjoyed singing in the choir as well as being in charge of recording each Sunday service. His other musical interests started in high school, where he played clarinet in the band, and moved on to a love of Bluegrass and Dixieland. He also had a love of flying which included having his private pilot license. He was eager to take a ride in any type of aircraft that got off the ground. Staying grounded, he also had a love of all things railroad, and trains, from miniature train sets to full size railroad. July of every year would find him spending time at the Steam Engine show in Mason, MI, as that was another love, and if he could attend other shows across the state, he would.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Carol (Brigham) Keesler and step-mother Dorothy Wilson Keesler. Jim is survived by his wife, Jena (Bickford) of 15 years, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, step-children Poni Altvater and Thomas (Michelle) Frederick, step-grandchildren Destiny (Darian) Campbell, Riannan Altvater, Isabella Frederick, Cole Frederick, step-great-grandson Axel Campbell, sister Ruth Davis, brother Ed (Kathy) Keesler, and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Cremation has taken place and, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no service at this time. A Celebration of Life is planned for this summer.
Donations in Jim's honor/memory may be made to CurePSP (501c3) either online at Curepsp.org or by mailing to CurePSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001, or to an organization of your choice. Envelopes will also be available at the Celebration of Life.
Fly high and free, my Love. I know you have the God Channel operating perfectly on every TV in Heaven.