James W. Keogh

James Warren Keogh passed away on November 12th, 2013, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. He was born in Wayne, Michigan on February 11, 1923, to Harold and Alma Keogh (nee' Cribbins). He was 90 years old.

Jim, as he was known by friends and family, was a scholar and an athlete. In his youth and as a young man he excelled at baseball, was an avid hockey player, and a pugilist, as was evident by his prominent broken nose.

He earned a BA from Eastern Michigan University with a double major in English and History.

Jim served proudly in the armed forces during WWII. He was an Army combat infantryman, rank Sgt., who served in the Pacific with his brother Jack. As Intelligence NCO for HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 147th Infantry Regiment, he fought as a scout and tunnel rat in the Solomons, Okinawa, and western Pacific islands, notably in Iwo Jima where he was awarded a Bronze Star, in addition to several other decorations and commendations. He was widely respected by his fellow infantrymen and described by his brother Jack as a "Crackerjack soldier". Decades later another infantryman described him as, "The best soldier I ever served with".

Jim married Frances Dove of Goodells, Michigan, in 1946. They divorced thirty years later after raising their family of six children. The young family moved west to Moab, Utah, in 1954 during the uranium boom. There, with his brother Jack, Jim worked at land surveying and uranium prospecting. In 1957 he moved to Denver where he resided until his death.

Jim had a long career with the US Geological Survey where he worked in its former Topographic Division primarily as a cartographer and the map librarian for the mountain states region and Alaska. That work was well matched to his fondness for exploring the Colorado Rockies, his intellectual curiosity and lifelong love of learning.

Another fondness of Jim's was firearms. He was knowledgeable about them and proficient with them. Though not a hunter, he maintained a small collection of rifles and pistols, which he seldom fired in the wrong direction.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors, exploring western Colorado by hiking and motor car. He led expeditions of his four sons up Mt. Bierstadt more than once. He was an active conservationist, especially regarding fishes, particularly various trout species. By avidly fishing unsuccessfully for many years in lakes, rivers and streams in the region, Jim did his part to ensure healthy populations of those species that eluded him. From Nebraska to Utah, fish were safe whenever Jim Keogh dropped his line in the water. Those close to him came to realize that catching fish was secondary to just being near to where wild fish live.

Jim was a patient father with a gentle guiding hand who taught by example, instilling curiosity by exercising his own inquisitive mind. His collection of several hundred books was among his few material treasures. The subjects of history, natural history, English, literature, philosophy and humor were among his many interests. He enjoyed the company of small children, Irish music and Irish whiskey and was exceedingly tolerant of the shortcomings of those who did not share his interests.

His companion for the last thirty years was Diana Calef.

Jim is fondly remembered for his quiet, gentle manner and his dry, humorous wit. He could find humor in most situations and possessed a keen knack for prompting laughter in others, even if at his own expense.

Jim Keogh was deeply loved and is sorely missed. He is survived by sons Warren (Sally), Charles (Kathy), Michael (Anna), Denis Keogh, daughters June Keogh Uhlig and Joan Keogh Bertolaet (Todd), twenty one grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren and his sisters Jane Broom (Arkansas) and Helen Holden (Denver). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jack.

A brief military ceremony will be held Friday, November 22, 2013 at 11:15AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area / Shelter "C". Military Honors will be rendered by the United States Army and the All Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends and family will gather informally at The Den at Fox Hollow restaurant on Morrison Road immediately following Fort Logan services to reminisce and celebrate Jim's life.

Flowers may be sent to 6224 N. Powell Rd., Parker, CO 80134, no later than Thursday. As an alternative to flowers, contributions may be made in memory of James W. Keogh to the Fisher House - Denver ( www.fisherhouse.org ) or The Nature Conservancy ( http://my.nature.org/donate/tribute-giving.html ) .