James “Jim” Francis Keating, age 88, passed away on Monday, January 20, 2025 surrounded by his adoring family.
Jim was born July 5, 1936 to Daniel and Catherine Keating. He was raised in Chicago, and frequently ran amok with siblings Julianne, Daniel, Gerald (Jerry), John, Anne Marie (Nancy), and Mary Catherine. Jim later lived in Riverside, California, then Rome, Italy before settling in the Detroit area after meeting his wife, JoAnne.
Jim and JoAnne raised their son (Matthew) and daughter (Regan) in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. Jim loved language, travel, music, and film. He took seriously his role of Detroit tour guide for beloved visiting siblings, nieces, nephews, and sisters-in-law. He loved playing basketball with & getting forced to the gym by Matthew, talking about music & coercing viewership of old movies with Regan (that she secretly loved), and of course analyzing current events with JoAnne over ice cream. Jim was curious, interesting, and above all else, irreverently funny. Jim was generally irritated politically, fiercely protective of his children, unconditionally loving of his family, and endlessly charmed by his grandsons, Wyatt (10) and Whelan (6).
JoAnne, Matthew, Regan (Ryan Kumpf), Wyatt, and Whelan are grateful to have had one last Christmas together with Jim. His family knows Jim is enjoying The Times with a cup of coffee. They promise to send stories of the boys, updates on the Lions (since 2026 will be THE year), music recommendations, travel tales, and the latest Colbert bit. Keep them laughing and hanging on your word, Jim. “There will never ever be another you.” Love you always.