Jim Keeley, former St. Mary’s High School plant manager, dies at age 88

COLORADO SPRINGS. James Keeley, a former plant manager at St. Mary’s High School and longtime member of Sacred Heart Parish in Colorado Springs, died July 28 at age 88 in Manhattan, Kansas. A Memorial Mass was celebrated Aug. 9 at Sacred Heart.

Keeley was born June 5, 1935 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He attended high school in Annawan, Illinois, and after high school served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-58. He married his wife Bonnie in 1959 and re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1961, later becoming a Warrant Officer in the Army. He spent a total of 23 years on active duty in the Air Force and Army. Among his many service awards were two Bronze Service Stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and a Meritorious Service Medal.

In 1980, Keeley retired from the Army, and he and his family moved to Colorado Springs, where he worked as plant manager at St. Mary’s High School for 20 years. He also served on the parish council and was an avid golfer.

From 2000 until Bonnie’s death in 2015, the couple lived in Annawan. Keeley then returned to Colorado Springs. 

Keeley is survived by daughters Kate, Susan (Gary Gutierrez) and Diane (Mike Eustace); son Steve (Terri); 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his brothers: John Keeley and Mike Keeley; and his brothers-in-law, Gary Norway and Jim Norway.