James "Jim" Keck

James E. Keck, 78, of El Mirage, Arizona, formerly of Rittman, Ohio, slipped peacefully away on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Hospice of the Valley, Surprise, Arizona.  Jim was born December 19, 1944 to Edwin Franklin and Ruth Ann {Watson} Keck at Akron City Hospital, Akron, Ohio.  Edwin was career Army so Jim mostly went to military dependent schools.  He lived on bases in Washington, Japan, Virginia, and Turkey, receiving a well-rounded education.  He served in the Army himself from 1962-64, mostly stationed in Colorado. After discharge he married Kathryn Straight in Akron.  After they divorced, he married Sandra Perry of Rittman on February 19, 1972, in Monroe, Michigan. She survives.

He mostly worked in route sales for Galat Packing in Akron, and Coca Cola in Cocoa, Florida. He moved back to Rittman, Ohio, and worked for PCA for 29 years until the plant closed. Jim moved to Arizona to be near his family during his retirement, living there for the last 14 years.  He enjoyed reading and documentaries on TV.  He was a fan of dead cowboys and dead musicians who lived on through the magic of the small screen.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Darleen and brother Gerald, and infant son, Bradley Shawn.  He is survived by his step-brother, Jeff {Linda} Dellenberger of Cocoa Beach, Florida; son, Douglas {Renetha} Stanziano of Miami Township, Ohio, daughter, Heller {Chris} Arnone of El Mirage, Arizona, and son, James {Terri} Keck of Troutville, Virginia; grandchildren, Victor, A.J., and Leo Stanziano, Gabrielle Gomez, and Corrina and Dante Keck; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and extended family.

Friends may call, Saturday August 19th, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Home-Hillcrest Chapel, Seville with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Attn: Donation Department, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.