UT Health Science Center in San Antonio called to say that Jim Keach would start his "teaching journey" on June 11, 2021, as he passed on from this life on June 10, 2021.  Jim was a life-long learner and natural teacher and wanted others to benefit from the medical education after his death.

Jim began his love of learning on July 26, 1932 in Evansville, IN. Jim's mom, Myrtle, let him sneak books and a flashlight under the kitchen sink so he could read after his chores were done. He yearned for more than the factory work available in Evansville, and signed up to join the US Air Force beginning a 30-year career in the military, rising to Chief Master Sergeant, the highest non-commissioned rank.

During basic training in San Antonio, Texas, Jim was set up on a blind date with Viola Ann Hanzelka, who would become the love of his life, married 55 years until her passing in March of 2008. Jim and Vi raised six children while living in homes across the United States and Europe. They finally settled in San Antonio, Texas in 1973.

Jim began another chapter of his learning when they settled in San Antonio, as he finished his bachelor's degree at Texas State University and master's degree at Our Lady of the Lake University, all while serving as the superintendent of the basic training program at Lackland Air Force Base. After retiring from the Air Force in 1981, Jim continued his leadership in the San Antonio community in commercial and residential real estate for the next 20 years. He served as the president of the San Antonio Toastmasters chapter, as well as the finance committee chair for the Prince of Peace Catholic Church where he and Vi spent 20+ years as members.  Jim was a sports enthusiast, watching young players in college and following them through their professional career. He was either participating in a sport like hand ball, running, but mainly golf, or watching it on television.  He and golf buddies, especially his son, Don, spent many a day teeing off on his favorite courses. He and Vi were also avid bowlers, spending over 30 years in the same league and very proud of his 300 game.

After losing his beloved wife, Vi, in 2008, Jim decided he was going to continue learning and traveled across the United States seeing new places and visiting museums and historical sites. He joined the life-long learning institute and took classes in poetry writing, astronomy and philosophy. He loved discovering all the wonderful things the world has to offer. You could find him on a park bench at Hardberger Park studying the birds.

Jim was surrounded by his six children in his final days, as well as many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Jim is survived by children, Linda Evans and husband Skip; Don Keach and wife Debbie; Debbie Mammel; Beverly Johnson and husband Doug; Karen Keach and husband Chris Karcher; Cindy Klein and husband Wayde. Jim is also survived by 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren with another to be born in September of 2021; and 1 great, great grandchild also soon to be born. Jim was preceded in death by his grandson, Scott Evans, and great granddaughter, Abigail Brennecke.

No service is planned for Jim until he returns home from his teaching journey with UT Health Science Center of San Antonio.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you spend the time and money learning something new in his honor.