James P. Keogh Jr. 88, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away Friday June 14, 2019.
A dedicated generous man who exemplified service in all he did for everyone; his family, country and every place he worked; always putting others before himself. Jim always left things better than he found them –in most cases vastly improved.
Born in Toledo to Irish immigrant parents Catherine (Kelliher) and James Patrick Keogh. Jim started early serving as a stable boy from the age of 5 helping to train and jump the ponies right alongside his father in Virginia. When the family moved back to East Toledo to take up residence on Prentice Street, he gave up his love for football to help support his family at the A & P Supermarket rising from ‘bagging’ and stocking to manager. He was the first in his family to go to University and wear a ‘white collar’. He put himself through the University of Toledo earning a Business Degree with the help of ROTC and dabbled in student radio noted for his excellent voice.
He was proud to have served in Korea as a first lieutenant commissioned officer with a platoon under his command. He returned from the army after turning down a career commission to marry Marilyn Jeanne Bates in 1959 she preceded him in death in 2008.
Jim admired ingenuity so it wasn’t surprising he was one of the first adaptors of main frame computing for commercial use moving from National Cash Register Co. to Jeep Corp and on to set up a data processing department for Starr Commonwealth School for Boys in Albion Michigan. He had a long career in the energy sector as personal manager for computing departments seeing safe many jobs during tumultuous mergers and acquisitions.
His DIY skills set a new standard for craftmanship and a standard of excellent admired by all. Jim Keogh could fix anything. After retirement he became a ‘snowbird’ with his wife and toured the National Parks in an RV. Since her death in 2008, Jim kept himself busy with gardening and workbench projects; participating at St Aloysius Catholic Church as a reader and enjoying family events. He always wanted to be a pilot and fly planes. Although he wasn’t able to achieve this in life; he is now free to pursue this long held wish.
James is survived by his three children Anastacia Keogh, Beth (Bill) DenBesten and Patrick Keogh. His grandchildren Alexander Dubreuil, Samantha (Aaron) Plikerd, Sarah Dubreuil, Jackson Dubreuil, James DenBesten, Declan Barker, Kayleigh Barker and his great-grandchild Daniel Plikerd
Visitation will be held Tuesday June 18, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 West Wooster St. A Rosary service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday June 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 150 S. Enterprise St. Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. Father Mark Davis will officiate. Interment will follow at Oak Grove cemetery in Bowling Green.
Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
