James E. Keal

JAMES E. KEAL was born Oct. 31, 1925 to Charles Keal and wife Maud Lockridge at Ft. Scott, KS. Upon completing his education Jim entered the US Navy in World War II. He served from 1943 through 1946. Jim graduated from Ft. Scott Jr. College. He lettered in both football and basketball. His team won the national basketball championship in his final year! On Sept. 11, 1948 he and Carroll Lee Vail were united in holy matrimony (a union pf 58 years). Jim continued his education via the G. I. Bill and athletic scholarships at Ottawa University, Kansas, graduating in 1950 with a B.S. in Physical Education. The young couple moved to South Texas where he coached and taught school. During the summer he worked with EXXON and became a full-time employee in the Fall - serving in office administration. Thirty-six years later he retired, and the family moved to the Houston area in 1986. Jim owned his own plane "Old Blue" which he flew and polished for twenty years. He belonged to a flying Club dubbed "Plumb 40" composed of seasoned pilots. Jim was a dedicated family man - he dearly loved his children and grandchildren. He was a long time member of the Space Center EXXON Annuitants Club, serving as Vice-President for 4 years and then President for 4 years. Those who remain to mourn his demise include his dear wife, Carroll; 3 children: James Keal & wife Fran, Cindy Michalk & husband Stuart, and Charles Keal & wife Amy, and 7 grandchildren, Kristen, Tracy, Kelli, Jamie, Holly, Zach and Hannah as well as many friends and relatives. Funeral services were held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay on Saturday and interment took place at Ft. Scott National Cemetery in Kansas with full military services.