James H. Keeffe, Jr.

Lt. Col. James H. Keeffe Jr. (Jim), 92, long-time Bellevue resident, passed away peacefully May 26, 2015.

Jim was born March 12, 1923, in Sioux City, Iowa, the third of six children. While in high school his family moved to Seattle where Jim graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Seattle University.

At the age of ten Jim went for his first ride in an airplane, a small bi-plane piloted by his father. This led Jim to acquire a life-long love for flying that shaped his life. Early in 1941 Jim joined the National Guard. Later that summer he entered the Civilian Pilot Training program learning to fly at a small, grassy air field in Issaquah.

In 1942 Jim joined the United States Army Air Force, became a B-24 heavy bomber pilot and transferred to England as a 2nd Lieutenant to fly combat missions against the Germans. On his fourth bombing mission, over Berlin, his aircraft lost two engines to enemy fighters and flak forcing bail out over Holland. During the next five months, Lt. Keeffe evaded the Germans with the help of the Dutch Resistance in Rotterdam. Eventually he was betrayed, captured, and transferred to the notorious German prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag Luft III - site of the Great Escape. On the 29th of April, 1945, Lt. Keeffe, along with 130,000 other allied POWs, was liberated by elements of the 14th Armored Division under General George Patton and returned home to his family. Following a short period of employment with United Airlines, Jim joined the newly formed United States Air Force and became a fighter pilot and weather officer. He was commander of several combat weather detachments serving in Korea during the Korean War and throughout the Cold War. Jim retired from military life in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Command Pilot. Jim earned many awards including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the POW Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf. He logged over 6,000 hours military flying time.

Following his retirement, Jim settled down in Bellevue to raise his family. He worked for Boeing for several years. Afterwards he became active in Bellevue politics, serving on the Bellevue City Council and the East Bellevue Community Council for many years. He continued to fly at every opportunity, in every form of aircraft imaginable, from balloons and ultra-lights to jet fighter aircraft.

Jim was deeply loved and highly respected by many people from all walks of life. He was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor. He is survived by his wife Sandy, daughters Kerry Radley, Leslie Saville, and Tina Soleim, sons Jim, Kevin, and Brian, and fifteen grandchildren.

Military funeral services will be held July 17th 10:30am at Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA. Those wishing to attend please arrive at 10:00am. A celebration of Jim's life will be held July 18th 1-4pm at Westminster Chapel 13646 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA. All are welcome. RSVP: [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times from Jun. 16 to Jun. 21, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for James Keeffe

Sponsored by The Family.

4 Entries

GERALD HORNE

October 10, 2020

My advanced ROTC instructor at Central Washington State College me with life messages that still esonate with me to this date as I approach 80 years of age. His memories still feel me with warm, strong positive feelings. I hope all is well with his pretty wife and his six children. How privileged I was to have known him, and I remain inspired by my visits with him in 1963-64.

Dick Fisher

August 30, 2017

Jim, I met your father one evening at Overlake Hospital while working as a security officer. You and I are close to the same age, as are our fathers. On this particular even I was given the chance to share a few minutes of his life, and some of his stories. My father served in the US Navy during WW II. At the time of this note he's still alive and for his age healthy, for which I'm blessed. I am reading, Two Gold Coins and a Prayer. Such a wonderful piece of work of history too soon forgotten. As America's Greatest Generation continues to pass that book will remind us of those that kept us free. Your father is resting with other heroes now, as someday mine will too.
Nice job on the book.
Ride Safe Patriot Guard Rider

Tina Dubberley

August 6, 2015

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry;I am not there. I did not die.

August 3, 2015

Jim,

I only knew your 'Pop' for the short period of time we visited on your military leave. However, it was always evident in the way you spoke of him and the stories you told how deeply you loved and admired him. For me, he is forever etched in my mind calmly and happily working on his VW's in the driveway with Halfcat and those sandwich-stealing spaniels milling about. My whole heart goes out to you. Deepest condolences to you and yours.

Tina

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