Obituary of Col. James S. Keeny

Sedan- Lt. Colonel James S. Keeny (USAF, Ret.), 79, died September 17th, 2012 at Sommerford Place in Annapolis, Maryland. He had dementia. Jim was born in Gypsum, Kansas, October 23, 1932. His parents were Eugene M. and Mildred Keeny, and his brother was Marvin Keeny. He grew up in Sedan, Kansas, and graduated from Sedan High School in 1950. He received his BA from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas in 1954 and also received his 2nd Lieutenant commission in the Air Force from ROTC. In 1955, he received his pilot wings and served as an air traffic control officer for six years, including one year at King Salmon, Alaska. Lt. Colonel Keeny flew C-124 and C-141 aircraft during the Vietnam War, stationed in Japan, Hawaii, and Dover, Delaware. He was selected to fly C-140 Lockheed Jet Star VIP missions at Andrews AFB, Maryland, from 1969 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 1, 1975. His passengers included several members of the White House, including the First Lady and her daughters, cabinet dignitaries, such as Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and 4 star generals, such as General Westmoreland. Jim joined Flight Safety International as a flight and simulator instructor of Learjet aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, in 1975. He was then transferred to Tucson, Arizona as Chief Flight Instructor in 1979. He retired from Flight Safety in 1999 and remained in Tucson until 2001 when he moved with his wife Mona to Annapolis, Maryland to be near his four grandchildren. Jim was predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Mona (Call), in 2010. They were married in Sedan, Kansas on September 6, 1953. She accompanied him to Japan, Hawaii and numerous stateside bases throughout their 57 years together. He is survived by his daughter Julia Keeny of Fairfax, Virginia, daughter Kathi Spork (Rick) of Sebastopol, California, his son David Keeny (Jessica) and grandchildren Samuel and James of Riva, Maryland, and his daughter Diana Posten (David) and grandchildren Dillon and Courtney of Annapolis, Maryland. Jim will be buried with full military honors at Greenwood Cemetery, Sedan, Kansas, on Saturday, September 22 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake or the Alzheimer's Association and may be left with the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Sedan. David W. Barnes Funeral Home of Sedan is in charge of arrangements.