KEATING, James Stanley 1935-2010

KEATING

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/19/2010 at 14:34:46

James Stanley Keating

Colonel James Stanley Keating entered eternal life on Jan. 8, 2010, at the age of 74. He was born in Iowa to Leone and Stanley Keating. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1953. He attended the University of Denver and entered the Air Force, receiving his pilot’s wings and commission at Lubbock AFB, Texas. Rated as a Command Pilot, James had more than 4,500 flying hours including over 300 Combat hours in 240 close Air Support missions in Southeast Asia. James was an instructor pilot in three front-line aircrafts including his combat tour in Vietnam.

While on active duty, James earned his BA from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and an MBA from Golden Gate University. He was a graduate of the Air War College. James was also a member of the USAF Olympic Wrestling Team in 1960. Colonel Keating was retired at Camp Smith Hwaii in 1982.

James received dozens of personal decorations including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After his Air Force career, James joined the Northrop Corporation as Aircraft Division Pacific Regional Director of Marketing for F-20A. He retired from Northrop after 13 years in 1994.

He had a membership in many organizations, including 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner.

A believer in “giving back” he was a volunteer wrestling coach at various schools during his many assignments, including six years at Palm Desert High School, Calif., as a technical advisor.

James enjoyed watching and playing many sports.

James deeply loved his family and his Lord. He is survived by his two children, Mrs. Julie Bassett of Sarasota, Fla., and Kevin of Rockledge, Fla., and four grandchildren; two brothers, Richard of Banning, Calif., and David of South Elgin, Ill., and sister, Kay Swenson of Ames.

A memorial service will be held Feb. 7 at the Air Force Village West chapel in Riverside at 2 p.m. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on Feb. 22, 2010.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations made to the American Cancer Society and/or The Wounded Warriors.

[www.charlescitypress.com, Jan. 19, 2010 Published: Friday, January 15, 2010 8:48 AM CST]
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SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX:

Given Name: James
Middle Name: Stanley
Surname: Keating
Birth Date: 31 August 1935
Social Security Number: 482-38-7679
State: Iowa
Last Place of Residence: Riverside, California
Previous Residence Postal Code: 92518
Event Date: 8 January 2010
Age: 75