He was born May 10, 1950 in Dayton, Ohio and was a 1968 graduate of Archbishop Alter High School. Jim was an entrepreneur from a young age delivering papers and then as a child, he created his own miniature golf course in an empty lot near his home and sold memberships to the neighbor children. After some odd jobs, he landed at Warehouse Paint Center for 20 years where he worked his way up from a stock boy to President of the company. He recently retired from Parts Express after 20 years of dedicated service. Jim attended St. James United Methodist Church for many years. He was artistic, liked drawing and painting, watching documentaries, playing golf in his younger years, schooling his son-in-law in pool, and recently he picked up a new hobby, teaching himself the Ukulele. Jim loved watching Kentucky basketball and golf, riding his electric bike, fishing with his son-in-law and good friends, kayaking with his family, albeit just one time, in a thunderstorm, traveling, and gardening. He enjoyed his monthly lunch date with his own siblings, and his wife (Jackie’s) family and spending quality time with his family. He especially enjoyed many visits with grandchildren for pool days and pop tarts. Jim held integrity above all, showing compassion and kindness for everyone, and keeping a humbleness and sense of humor. He was certainly the patriarch, holding the family together through trials and tragedy, loving us through it and keeping us smiling and laughing.
Jim is survived by his father, George Keen; children, Heather Keen (Brian) Cantrell, Michelle Elmore (Bill) Fitzpatrick, Jaime Keen (Andrew) Kihn, and James R. “J.R.” Keen; bonus daughter, Jillian (Victoria) Vazquez; grandchildren, Breanna Max, Alec Max, Christian S. (Alison) Tallet, Hannah Hacker, Jordan D. (Katelyn) Tallet, Jacqueline A. (Chris) Maxwell, Baylee M. Cantrell, Jacob S. Florea, Hunter R. Elmore, Patrick M. Argenbright, Aiden L. Tallet, Jenna L. Argenbright, Liam Boepple, Milo J. Kihn, and Adelynne R. Kihn; siblings, George Michael (John) Keen, Patricia Keen (Dick) Keefe, Kathleen Keen (Jack) Turner, and Christopher Keen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Keen; wife, Jacqueline Wooten Keen; daughter, Jessica Keen; and his son, Michael Elmore.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-6 PM on Monday, April 5, 2021 at GEBHART-SCHMIDT-PARRAMORE Funeral Home, Miamisburg. A funeral service will follow at 6 PM with Rev. Deb Holder officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dayton Children’s Hospital or Shriner’s Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.gebhartschmidtparramore.com
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