James R. Keys

James (Jim) Russell Keys of Union City, age 92, passed into the presence of his Lord late on March 10th, 2017. He was born in Withee, Clark Co, Wisconsin to Everel E. Keys and Ruth N. (Siggelkow) Keys on September 8th 1924. They later lived in Richland Center, Wisconsin, and then in Harvey, IL. During WW2, he served in the US Army from April 15th 1943 to February 9th 1946. He was under the command of General MacArthur serving as a medical technician with the 96th Battalion on Leyte Island (in the Philippines) and on Okinawa (Japan). He was awarded a Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Pacific Theater Ribbon with 2 bronze battle stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 bronze stars, 3 overseas service bars, a good conduct medal, and a meritorious unit award. He graduated from Greenville College with a Bachelor of Science “with honors” in May of 1948. Jim married Iola Francis Kenworthy in Detroit, Michigan on June 20th 1952. They celebrated 62 anniversaries together before she passed away on March 5th 2015. Together they fostered numerous children, adopted one child, and then had three more children together. Jim was a devoted husband, a committed father, and an involved layman of the Free Methodist Church where he was a member; he served his local church, conference and national church in many capacities, including board member, song leader, SS teacher, CYC youth leader and treasurer. For most of his life, Jim worked as a chemist for PPG industries where the specialty paint patents he created contributed to mirrors enjoyed by many. In 1960, he accepted a job transfer from Detroit to East Point, GA. He and his wife lived on the south side of Atlanta, in Fayette County, and in Jonesboro. In 2006, they moved to Christian City where he resided at Sparks Inn where he has become known as “the harmonica man” and a leader of the weekly hymn sing. In his last week, he was treated for pneumonia at the Piedmont Fayette Hospital where family and friends visited him. He was preceded into eternity by his brother Charles, his sister Ruth Esther, and his wife Iola. He is survived by his children, Kenneth C. Keys, Sr. and his wife Micki of Lawrenceville; David L. Keys and his wife Denise of Prairie City, IA; Marilyn R. Sigala and her husband Uriel of Los Angeles, CA; Della Ashley and her husband Wilford of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Kenneth (Casey); Stephanie; Jessica; Virginia; Stephen; Yehoshua; Chava; Katriel; Moshe-Simcha; Nessia; Heidi; Garrett; Audrey and 4 great grandchildren, plus one on the way. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 11 o’clock at Christian City ‘Welcome Center’ with Rev. Paul Schantz and Chaplain Carl Ryden officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the same location. A brief graveside service will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens. Parrott Funeral Home & Crematory. 770-964-4800

James R. Keys

September 8, 1924 - March 11, 2017