He was born in Jackson TN on August 28, 1947. He spent most of his early life in Hernando, MS, moving there at age 5 when his dad bought the Times Promoter newspaper.
He graduated from Hernando High School in 1965 where he was a four year letterman in football and baseball.
He attended Northwest Junior College and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1969 with a Business Administration degree.
He moved to Memphis after graduation to work for Dun & Bradstreet. He retired from there after 34 years. At D & B, he met Glenda Smith and they were married in 1972. Their son, Matthew Forrest, was born on Oct 17, 1977.
They were active members of Cherry Road Baptist Church in Memphis for 30 years until moving to Desoto County where they became members of Gracewood Baptist Church.
He was an avid fan of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the St. Louis Cardinals. His favorite places to visit were Starkville, MS, St. Louis, MO, and Orange Beach, AL. But his greatest joy was spending time with his family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry and Estelle Reese Keathley. He is survived by his wife, Glenda, of Memphis; his son, Matt, of Memphis and his brother, Bill, of Gulfport MS.
Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 18 from 12-2pm and the memorial service will begin at 2pm at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Ave.
