James C. McKeever Sr.

Jim McKeever has been one of my two great mentors in life. He was my voice teacher, at WCC, from 1977-1983. He was a kind, fun, wise, and compassionate giant of a man, with a booming voice and a big heart. I think of him often and remember the wonderful, rich quality of his voice along with the sparkle in his eyes, a warm smile, a hearty laugh, and a firm handshake. I remember missing my first lesson with him and receiving a strong reprimand. Consequently, I was terrified of him for a...

James McKeever was my voice teacher in 1961-62. I can still hear the wonderful quality of his booming voice when he sang passages for me to emulate. He was a very special and I attended the Alumni banquet for Westminster this year hoping to see him receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. I shall miss him. My condolences to the family.

I have wonderful memories of Jim from my Westminster years. He was a class mate and friend of my parents Bob and Lillian Johnson(class 49 and 50). Jim always made me feel like family as a student. What a great musician, person and ambassador for Westminster Choir College. He will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers to his family.

My memories of Jim are of a man whose heart was as big as he was, as well as having a wonderful sense of humor. He brought joy wherever he went and I'm grateful to have known him.(WCC '78)

I remember Jim McKeever as a man of great things. As one of his voice students, I looked up to him physically in stature but most of all for a heart and spirit that was bigger still. He stepped in as my teacher just in time for my senior recital at Westminster. To his family, I am grateful and blessed for having known him. Please know you are in our prayers.
(W.C.C. 1981)

I remember Mr. McKeever with much fondness, as a kind gentleman, who was an administrator at Westminster during the time I was a student, and then when I worked at WCC to develop their music and bookstore. I know there are many, many lives he has touched.

My late wife, DorothyAnn Davis, and I knew Jim as a fellow student in the 1940's. We always enjoyed seeing the McKeevers at reunions, and other Westminster affairs. We all spent our lives in church music and college teaching, and he was one of our best exemplars. Jack (John A. Davis, Jr.) Various churches, USMA -West Point for 30 years, and The Reformed Church, Poughkeepsie, NY since 1986.

James McKeever was very kind to me during my years at WCC, and I enjoyed visiting the 5th Ave. Presbyterian Church in New York City and listening to his wonderful choir. I send my heartfelt sympathy to his family. (WCC Class of 1969)

My memories of Jim McKeever range from sewing the hooks and eyes back on his robe in the early '60s while I was a WCC student (I graduated in '64) to having a glorious weekend with him as our guest bass soloist for the Verdi "Requiem" in Lincoln, NE almost 20 years later. His teaching and his friendship blessed countless of us who were fortunate enough to know him. Heaven's Choir is now blessed with a magnificent bass!