James Ronald McKeithan

JAMES RONALD MCKEITHAN

James Ronald McKeithan, 64, of Wilmington, NC, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at his residence.

He was born in Wilmington, NC, July 23, 1945, son of the late James Royal McKeithan and Bobbie Coker McKeithan.

Mr. McKeithan graduated from NC State College of Engineering as an Industrial Engineer in June, 1967 and joined Kaiser Aluminum as an Industrial Engineer later in that year.

He married his wife, Sandy, on April 20, 1968 and moved to Ravenswood, WV.

His work career included the position of Kaiser Dolton Plant Manager in 1974, and in Ravenswood, WV he held several positions until 1992 to include August 1977, Finishing Superintendent, February 1979, Maintenance Superintendent, December 1984, Cold Rolling Superintendent, December 1989, Hot Rolling Superintendent, April 1990, Production Manager; retiring from Kaiser Aluminum, February 28, 1992.

Mr. McKeithan was VP Operations Barmet Aluminum 1992-1996, VP Operations Easco Aluminum 1996-2000, and VP Universal Alloys Corporation 2000-2009.

Jim McKeithan began his career in the aluminum industry as an Industrial Engineer with Kaiser Aluminum in Ravenswood West Virginia. He had worked for Universal Alloy Corporation in Canton, Georgia since 2000. He was the COO for UAC until 2003 when he became the Vice President responsible for Special Projects. These included the installation of the largest aluminum extrusion press in the United States and the expansion of European Operations to a new facility in Dumbravita, Romania. Jim not only contributed to the success of UAC during this decade, but also mentored many young professionals in the company.

Jim McKeithan was willing to and did go anywhere, anytime, any place to help grow Universal Alloy Corporation. During his ten year tenure with Universal Alloy Corporation he served as General Manager in the company's Anaheim facility; Chief Operating Officer out of the company's Canton facility; directed a reorganization and profit improvement program at the company's sister unit in Menziken, Switzerland; and made immeasurable contributions to the expansion of the company into Dubravita, Romania. Jim was a respected, admired and loved member of the Universal Alloy Corporation team and will be missed immensely as a colleague and a friend.

Surviving is his wife of forty-two years, Sandra Hicks McKeithan; daughter, Melissa McKeithan Rohwer and husband William Patrick Rohwer of Ft. Wayne, IN; grandson, James Patrick McKeithan Rohwer; brothers, Thomas Alan McKeithan and wife Donna of Napa Valley, CA, and Tracy Kevin McKeithan and wife Sharon of Athens, GA; and a sister, Carol McKeithan Whitley and husband Ron of Greensboro, NC.

Visitation will be at the family home, 7622 Scout Camp Hatila Road, Wilmington, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2009, at Southside Baptist Church by the Rev. Kelly Stanley.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Southside Baptist Church, to "The Blend" project, 3320 South College Road, Wilmington, NC, 28412, or a book donation to the North Carolina Room of the New Hanover County Library.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 7622 Scout Camp Hatila Road, Wilmington, NC, 28409.

Andrews Valley Chapel



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