James Robert Keever Jr.

1929 - 2018

Reverend James Robert Keever, Jr.

November 7, 1929 - April 30, 2018

Durham

Reverend James Robert "Bob" Keever, Jr., whose Christian faith and love for others defined his life, passed away on April 30, 2018 after a long illness.

Born Nov. 7, 1929 in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was the son of James Robert Keever, Sr. and Susan Alexander.

Bob graduated from high school in Charlotte and earned a Bachelors Degree from Davidson College in 1951. He briefly attended Duke University, but after receiving his call to ministry entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree.

He earned his Master of Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo, CA.

He began his career in the ministry in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. as a pastor in Charlottesville, VA and later served churches in: McLean, VA; Tuscaloosa, AL; Wooster, OH; Crawfordsville, IN; and Chapel Hill, NC. During his career, he was a passionate advocate in support of civil and human rights for all persons, and for the rights and dignity of mentally disabled persons.

He spent the final 12 years of his life as a resident of Croasdaile Village Retirement Community in Durham, N.C.

Bob was devoted to his wife Ellen H. Keever, who preceded him in death in 2012 after a loving marriage which spanned 58 years. He was also devoted to his family, and loved their many gatherings at the family vacation house on Claytor Lake, VA.

He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Cynthia D. Keever of Asheville, NC; Robert Keever and Claudia Chaten of Mechanicsville, VA; Wythe and Sandy Keever of Harrisburg, PA; Graham and Mary Jane Keever of Fletcher, NC ; and Laura and Olin Brimberry of Raleigh, NC.

He is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Makahla and Caitlin Stout of Asheville, NC; Charles, Mary and Annie Keever of Richmond, VA; Megan Keever Rivera of Torrance, CA; Ryan and Adam Keever of Fletcher, NC; and Lillian, Olin and Lucile Brimberry of Raleigh, NC. Also, he is survived by his great granddaughter: Kelly Rivera of Torrance, CA.

Memorial services will held at First Presbyterian Church of Durham, NC on Monday May 21 at 2:00 pm.

A graveside service will be held at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion, VA later in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St., Durham NC 27701, and The Southern Poverty Law Center at splcenter.org