James McMillan Keally III

James McMillan Keally, III, age 82, died peacefully on November 24, 2025, in Athens, GA, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, in 1943. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Martha McNair Keally and James McMillan Keally, Jr.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ruth; his daughter Meghan Gaskill (Chip) of Gainesville, GA; his granddaughters Shaye Gaskill of Atlanta, GA, and Arden Gaskill of Athens, GA; and his siblings Sue Krievins of Cream Ridge, NJ, Guy Keally (Paula) of Lexington, KY, and Jay Keally (Sharon) of Egg Harbor Township, NJ. He is also remembered fondly by many friends, neighbors, and extended family who will miss him dearly.

He was a kind and generous man who loved life and had many passions: all things aviation, stamp collecting, traveling to Key West, University of Tennessee football, annual trips to Myrtle Beach, SC, and spending time with family, long-time friends, and neighbors. Jim will be remembered for his warm smile, kind nature, and positive outlook.

Jim graduated from Radnor High School in Radnor, PA, in 1961 and attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he participated in the Army ROTC Program and met Ruth. He graduated in 1967 with an ROTC-sponsored private pilot’s license, a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, and a BS degree in Industrial Management.

He began his career with IBM in Endicott, NY, in 1967. After serving on military leave, he returned to IBM in 1971 and advanced through several hardware development organizations. In 1981, he relocated to Charlotte, NC, to take on a new ProPrinter development role, and later moved to the IBM Retail Store Systems Division in Raleigh, NC, in 1993. Over the course of his 36-year career, Jim held a variety of leadership and technical positions, ultimately retiring in 2003 as a Senior Financial Planner. During his early years at IBM, he also earned his Glider License through the Glider School in Elmira, NY.

Jim entered the U.S. Army after three months with IBM, beginning his service at Fort Knox, KY. Following completion of the Armor Officer’s Basic Course, he joined the Army’s Helicopter Training Program and graduated in November 1968. He was assigned to the 7/17th Air Cavalry in Vietnam as a Lift Platoon Leader, flying UH-1 “Huey” helicopters for most of 1969. His commendations included the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with Clusters, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, which he was awarded twice. Upon returning to the United States in 1970, he served at Fort Rucker, AL, as a Helicopter Tactics Instructor Pilot and later a Tactics Instrument Instructor, while using the GI Bill to earn Commercial and Instrument Ratings for both Helicopter and Single Engine Fixed Wing aircraft. Jim continued his service in the New York State Army National Guard beginning in 1973, serving as Chief Pilot to Major General Howard Garrison until 1981.

Jim had the unforgettable opportunity in 2006 to receive an hour of instruction in a North American P-51 World War II fighter plane in Kissimmee, FL—truly the flight of a lifetime. That spectacular flight became one of his favorite stories to share for many years to come.

A year later, Jim and Ruth moved to Watkinsville (near Athens), GA, the center of the SEC Football universe (Jim’s words!), to be closer to their daughter, Meghan, her husband, Chip, and their young granddaughters, Shaye and Arden. Jim treasured being part of his granddaughters’ lives: vacationing at the beach together, cheering them on in sports, watching them thrive in college, and celebrating their many accomplishments as they grew into confident young adults.

Most recently, in 2021, Jim and Ruth moved to Presbyterian Village of Athens, GA, where they were grateful to make many new friends and enjoy a welcoming community.

The family will hold a private celebration of life in Jim’s honor at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to his favorite nonprofit organization, the Commemorative Air Force, a 501(c)(3), via https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/donate .

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.