Memorials › Alfred K. "Jim" Keetch

Alfred K. "Jim" Keetch

31 May 1934 – 15 Dec 2015

Birth	31 May 1934
Death	15 Dec 2015
Cemetery	Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park South Valley Riverton , Salt Lake County , Utah , USA
Added by	Ryan D. Curtis on 20 Dec 2015
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/156209820

Bio

Alfred K. (Jim) Keetch passed from this mortal existence on Tuesday, 15 December 2015 due to complications of emphysema. Jim was surrounded by his loving family that gathered to show support, demonstrate a deep love for him, and to celebrate the incredible life he had lived. Some may say that passing during the Christmas season is terrible but his loving family believes otherwise because of the Christ-like giving and caring shared by so many that is reflective of this time of year. Jim was the first born son of Alfred Martell and Buela Kofford Keetch; and the third of six children to include VaLoy, Merla, Dee, Boyd, and Clea. He grew up in Utah County, where he participated in sports and choir. Jim graduated from Orem High in 1952 and hitchhiked for two days to Dugway Proving Ground to seek a job with the federal government. He worked at Dugway for five years, rising through the ranks quickly to a leader position before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. Jim went to basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was later stationed in Fort Monmouth New Jersey and Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met Kitsy Cramer for the first time, and then shipped out to Siegelsbach Germany for a year. After a year in Germany, he returned to Arkansas to be released from military service. From there, he made his way back to Albuquerque to see Kitsy again and proposed shortly thereafter. They were married in July of 1959 and made their home back at U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground for the next forty-two years. Jim and Kitsy are the proud parents of Alfred Jim (Anita) Keetch, Jeff (Debra Wright) Keetch, and Cathy (Jeff Atkinson) Keetch. They are also the grandparents of Ashlee Keetch, Kylee (Ian) Larsen, Danny Keetch, and Shelby Keetch. And, the great-grandparents of Avery Layne Larsen. Jim worked in the Test Center at U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground and throughout his career he held many positions performing testing on systems and equipment that benefited U.S. warfighters throughout the world. His organizational skills and attention to detail were impeccable and recognized several times throughout his career. He retired in 1991, working a total of thirty-nine years for the federal government. Kitsy was not yet ready to retire, so Jim worked another ten years with Lockheed Martin before he and Kitsy officially retired in 2001. In retirement, Jim and Kitsy were able to travel the world. They journeyed together to Canada, Mexico, Panama, Austria, Germany, France, England, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.A. from west to east. They enjoyed time together, benefiting from their years of hard work, and more importantly spending time together enjoying the journey. Jim and Kitsy's marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple on 13 December 2013. Further blessing their relationship and promises of eternal companionship; and, allowing their precious journey to continue. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Boyd and Dee; and, his sisters, VaLoy Menlove and Clea Rasmussen. He is survived his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He is also survived by his sister, Merla Bolling; sisters-in-law, Jane Keetch, Martha Keetch, Donna Dow, and Judy Cramer; brother-in-law, Danny (Norma) Cramer; and his many nieces and nephews in Utah and Indiana. We want to express special thanks to Intermountain Healthcare and Hospice and particularly Suzie Clark, who provided such wonderful care for Jim. We also want to thank the incredible members of the Parkway Seventh Ward for their love, concern, and generosity during these difficult times. A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, 18 December 2015 in the Parkway Seventh Ward Building, 9894 South 2700 West, South Jordan. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Saturday, 19 December 2015. A viewing will be take place from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and the funeral will be held at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn - South Valley, 13001 South 3600 West, Riverton. Published in the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News from December 17 to December 18, 2015.

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