James Keitz

James Raymond Keitz was born to Leo V. Keitz and Patricia A. (Spier) Keitz on June 9, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan. While rocking her baby, (his mother told the story often), the British Monarch had announced the birth of their baby. She cried as she listened to the bells ringing on the radio, wondering why no one was ringing bells for her baby. Jim grew up in Sterling Heights Michigan. As a boy he liked to hunt and fish and pal around with his best friends Nathan Wilkins and Tom Orlowski. He enjoyed and told endless and often, hilarious stories of his summers spent with his grandfather, Howland Spier in Galesburg Michigan. He graduated from Utica High School in 1966 where he lettered on the swim team and sang in the school choir. ( He would later tell his grandsons it was the best class because it was full of girls). High School is also where he would romance his future wife, of 56 years, Veronica Lucas, Initially, as she puts it he was a "bad boy " that swore and smoked at the back of the bus, that he "picked" on her.....Initially, as he put it, she was a "prude" a really, really pretty one, and he only picked on her because he liked her and well, it worked as you can see...They wed in February of 1967.
Jim attended Northern Michigan University. He worked at Ford Motor Company as a Millwright and later as an Employee Resource Coordinator appointed by the International Union until his retirement in 2005.He was an avid bowler, enjoyed scuba, and cheering on his favorite teams. He was an incredible artist, passionate of woodworking and left many treasures from his various crafts for his family to enjoy. He coached and commissioned softball for Shelby/Utica Little League and went on to compose his own travel team of the most bad ass players in the region and abroad representing Shelby Twp. He loved sharing stories of those days with "his girls" long after they were gone.
Jims most passionate hobby was golfing. He caddied and played as a boy and his love for the game never faltered, tournaments played with his son were among his favorite. After their retirement, Jim and Ronnie sold their home in Utica and moved to their cottage in Port Hope, Michigan. There, they enjoyed the beaches of Lake Huron and loved entertaining visitors, especially their children and grandchildren. in the depth of winter, they traveled to bask in the sun along the Gulf Shores of Alabama. It is where the also renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. Jim was quick witted, he loved playing cards, and traveling with his family. He and Ronnie loved traveling with their grandchildren and showing them our country and historical points of interest. Jim was always up for a good time, supplying creative treats at events, he was a fabulous cook, a master on the grill. He liked sitting at the beach and watching the sunset and the freighters go by. He was a wonderful husband, an adored father and grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. he will be sorely missed until we meet again.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Veronica (Lucas) Keitz. His children Tamara Keitz (John ), James Keitz ( Tamera ), and Heather Keitz. His grandchildren Miranda Auer (Justin), Alexis Hintz, James Keitz (Angel), Jackson Hintz, Noah Hintz (Rosa), Nathan and Cory Muckenhirn. His great grandchildren Ashton Best, Jace Keitz, Thomas Perry, Emma Keitz, Benjamin Cheney, Vada Cheney, Dakota Keitz, Rowan Auer, and Frances Keitz. He is also survived by his brother Mark Keitz. He is predeceased by his granddaughter Alyssa Coomer.