James Robert (Jim) Keating

James Robert (Jim) Keating, 89, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023, at home with his wife of 60 years, Betty at his side. Jim was born on July 25, 1933 in St. Augustine, Florida to James William Keating and Myrtle Green Keating. Jim grew up in St. Augustine and shortly after departing Ketterlinus High School enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer/E-7 in rapid fashion. Serving nearly ten years including sea deployment for the Korean War, Jim was a master machinist mate whose combat experience aboard the World War II-vintage U.S.S. Lake Champlain proved him a uniquely qualified instructor at Great Lakes Naval Base, IL, where he taught new recruits for four years. Departing the Navy in 1962, Jim married Fredonia, Kentucky’s own Betty Sue Prowell, and together they raised a family of five children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless extended family members. Jim spent the next six decades in mechanical trades with diesel and Thermo-King refrigeration specialties, in places including G&M Truck Stop, DESCO Marine, and Arnold Transportation Services. Handy with a vise, welding torch, and hammer, there was no mechanical issue Jim could not solve, and no specialty tool he could not make to solve it. Jim was a plain-spoken man of simple means and unrivaled work ethic, devoting his entire life to service of others, whether it be his nation, family, neighbors, or the countless customers he supported. In the 1970s Jim gave of his time and talents as a founding member and volunteer for the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol. Jim earned his SCUBA license in order to serve, and freely shared his time, truck, boat and skills. Appointed a Special Deputy Sheriff, Jim participated in many search and rescue missions, and received the Florida Sheriff’s Association Distinguished Service Award for his contributions. Though proud of his Naval service, Jim’s greatest pride and joy was his family. Whether planning for the pending arrival of a grandchild or preparing for Easter Sunday gatherings and Christmas cookie parties, Jim was always in the background quietly doing for the ever-growing family he loved so. Jim is survived by his faithful, loving wife and personal caregiver Betty and children: sons Colonel (Retired) Robert (Yvette) Keating of St. Augustine, and James (Lucinda) Keating of Lawrenceville, Georgia; daughters Michelle Keating Harrison and Connie Ham both of St. Augustine, and Sharon Keating of Evansville, Indiana. Jim is also survived by brother John Keating and sister Catherine Hamm, both of Georgia. He is predeceased in death by his parents and brothers Richard William Keating and Franklin Dwight Keating. A memorial including Military honors will be held on January 20, 2023, beginning with Visitation at 11:00 am followed by the Memorial at 12:00 p.m. at St. Johns Family Funeral Home, 385 S.R. 207, St. Augustine. A reception will follow immediately. Flowers are respectfully declined and those wishing to honor Jim may do so by donating to Community Hospice and Palliative Care, https://www.communityhospice.com/give/. Those unable to attend can view the service live-streamed at https://iframe.dacast.com/live/2a7a09ae1c0559a83ef537e05e6a14a6/2aae7d5f-98fd-a9e6-32a7-b774547cf42c.

James Robert (Jim) Keating

July 23, 1933 - January 12, 2023