Jay R. Keeling
April 18, 1934 ~ June 16, 2008
Keeling, Jay R., 74, loving husband, father, grandpa, and retired contract manager for DCMC/Department of Defense, passed from this earth into the arms of his heavenly Father on June 16, 2008. Born April 18, 1934 in Wichita, Kansas the son of Joe and Leah Keeling, Jay was an avid K-State alum and basketball fan. His death is the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on May 5. Preceded in death by his sister Joanna Dawson, brother Bill Keeling, and grandson R.J. Peck. He is survived by his wife Nancy of 54 years. Other survivors include son; Doug (Julie) of Wichita; daughters; Susan Herrick (Chris) of Topeka, Karen Peck (Bob) of Wichita and 6 wonderful grandchildren; Kyle Ann (fiance Kyle Moravec) and Michael Keeling, Caleb and Ethan Herrick, Jon and Sam Peck. In his retirement years he developed a second career as a lead auditor performing Quality Management Systems Audits for Certification for a host of organizations, working for Mid-America Quality Registrations. He held the highest quality management systems auditor ratings covering aerospace manufacturing, aerospace repair stations and aerospace distributors. Visitation with the family is 6-8 pm Wednesday at Downing and Lahey East Mortuary. His life celebration will be 10:00 am at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Thursday, June 19, 2008. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1958 N Webb, Wichita, KS 67206 and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, Kansas 67202.
Visitation with the family is 6-8 pm Wednesday at Downing and Lahey East Mortuary
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Nancy, We were so grieved to hear about your accident and Jay’s death. You’re both wonderful people and we still celebrate all those great years at good old SHS. Seeing you at our last reunion was terrific. Time goes by so fast and we often lose touch but the memories will always be there. Jay was a great guy. God bless you. Denis and Lois Adams
Nancy, I was saddened to hear of Jay’s death. We both sat at the same table at the last reunion and had a good time catching up. What a good memory that is for me. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God loves you, never forget that. Always, Mary Jo (Lindblom) Hulse
Dear Doug and Julie and family, I was so sorry to see the obituary about your dad. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, Tammy Pistotnik Collins and Mark Collins
Hi, this is Jessica. I was your Mom and Dad’s OT at Wesley Medical Center. I just wanted to send my condolences, so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this hard time.
Nancy and Family My contact with Jay was while going to Salina High. I will always remember Jay as a basketball and football player. As class president, he always treated his fellow students with dignity and respect! So sorry to hear of his passing.
Dear Nancy and family, I was surely sorry to hear about Jay’s passing. I hadn’t seen you or Jay in more than 50 years, but I have fond memories of our times at Salina High School. Jay and I worked on the sports page of the Salina High News and we played softball in high school for the First Baptist Church city league team. Jay was shortstop and I played second base. I recall in a close game that determined the city league championship Jay leaping high to snare a line drive for the opponent’s last out to give us the win and championship. Jay was truly a quality person. I didn’t know you folks lived in Wichita. Martha (my wife) and I have lived in Winfield for 13 years after retiring from the University of California, Davis. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Best regards, Sam Logan, class of 1952
Doug – you’ll remember me as Barbara Branda. I am so sorry to see that you lost your father. He must have been a great parent, judging by how you turned out. My thoughts are with you and your family. I hope you find comfort in the memories.
Dear Aunt Nancy and Family: I am sorry to hear that Jay passed away. I think he was a truly good man. I’ll always remember him. I always felt we had something in common being the youngest of 5 kids. I loved seeing him at the Keeling family reunions. He will be dearly missed.
Dear Nancy and Family- I am so sorry to hear of Jay’s death. He was a wonderful human being. I have missed him over the years. I wish we hadn’t lived so far apart. I wish I could be with your family at this difficult time. As you know, my own circumstances make it impossible for travel. Please know I am praying for your family. Sending you all my love. ROK Uncle Rolly
Aunt Nancy, Doug, Susan, Karen, and Family: we are so sorry for your loss. Uncle Jay was a wonderful man. The two words that come to mind when I think of him are kind and gentle. What a sweet guy!!! I know RJ had a big smile on his face when he saw Grandpa Jay! I know Jay did too! Your family is such a great example of Christian love and strength. Please know we love and miss you all. I wish we could be there.
Sorry to hear about Jay’s death. He was a wonderful human being. I have missed him over the years. I’m sorry I am sorry to hear about Jay’s death. He was a wonderful human being. I am sorry we lived so far apart and couldn’t see each other much. I wish I could be there with your family at this time. Please know I would if I could. Sending you my love. Rolly Uncle ROK Uncle ROK
Dear Keeling Family, The Hannings have not seen you or visited with you for a long time, but we all have wonderful memories of when you were our neighbors and school friends. Please accept our condolences for the loss of Jay. We remember him and all of you and the special times associated with sports, music, drama and other events. He was a very supportive parent and good friend and neighbor. Sincerely, Tricia and Dean Hanning and family
Dearest Julie, Doug and Family, We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Jay. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We will not be able to attend the service, but know that we are with you. All our love, Kurt and Debbie Coughenour and Family
Nancy and Family, We are your neighbors at Fall River Lake. It just seemed like yesterday when we had such a nice visit with you and Jay. We were so looking forward to a long and lasting relationship. You folks were extra special. We hope that we can continue to have these special times with you and your family. Unfortunately, we will be out of the city today and tomorrow so we will miss the visitation and funeral. Please be assured that you and your family will be in our prayers. With deep regrets and sorrow for your loss, Marilyn and Don Grommesh
Nancy, I was so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. Know that I care and my prayers are with you and the family.
Nancy, our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you. We thought Jay was such a wonderful person when he visited in our home. Norma and Bill Johnson