James Robert Keezer passed away December 1, 2023, following open-heart surgery in Boise, Idaho. He was born February 23, 1947, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Cynthia Jean Martin and William Stillman Keezer and joined an older brother Bill and loving sister Betty Lou. Known to his family and friends as Bob, Jim spent his childhood in Indiana, Missouri, grade school in Carson City Nevada and high school in Norman, Oklahoma where he graduated from University High School.
Jim attended New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vagas, New Mexico. The Vietnam War was escalating so Jim joined the U.S. Navy Reserves which allowed him a deferment to attend Southern Colorado State in Pueblo, Colorado, and graduate in Music and Psychology before being called up for active duty. Jim attended basic training in Chicago and received Corpsman training in San Diego. He was the only corpsman in his unit selected to serve on “The Rock” – Guam. Jim spent 19 months, 23 days serving first in the Psych Ward then in ICU caring for the most critically injured patients in hopes they could be airlifted to the United States for full recovery. though Jim never visited Vietnam, he dealt with Vietnam’s affect every day as he fought to keep solders alive. After many years Jim was granted an Agent Orange Disability as he was exposed daily by the solders he treated
After his honorable discharge, Jim worked odd jobs in Pueblo until he took the first of his many teaching positions in Peetz, Colorado, where he started a jazz combo that preformed throughout the region. In 1974, Jim pursued his Masters in Composition at the University of Nevada, Reno. While living in Reno, Jim played guitar in the Harrah’s House Band and worked with such luminaries as Bill Cosby, Larry Lundon, Totie Fields, George Maharis, and Bobby Vinton.
Upon completion of his graduate studies, Jim returned to teaching in Salida, Colorado, Hecla South Dakota, Oakley, Burley and Pocatello, Idaho. He touched lives of hundreds of students through the years and instilled within them a love of music. He loved musical ensembles, and everywhere he lived, he started and performed in groups with his students. The Magic Philharmonic in Burley, Idaho, was especially important to him, and he loved being their Maestro. He was instrumental in starting string programs in both Cassia and Minidoka Counties, programs that are thriving yet today.
He participated in many Oakley Valley Arts Council productions both on stage and in the pit. He was a faculty member of the CSI Music Camp and performed yearly at the Sun Valley Jazz Festival in various groups. He was active in the Sud City Six, Keezer Quartet, CSI Jazz Band and Jazz House Big Band led by Doug Waring.
During his life Jim augmented his income by joining the Nevada Army Reserve, drove jeep tours in the Rocky Mountains or Colorado, mad pizzas, worked in a silver mine on the Idaho/Nevada border and checked groceries in Jackpot Neveda.
Jim was active in Veterans organizations including the American Legion, and Forty and Eight. He was a proud bugler at many veteran’s funerals. Jim also participated in Solder Songs teaching veterans how to play the guitar.
Jim met and married Helen Larrington in 1973; they were married for thirty-two years had had four children. In 2013 Jim married Vickie Springer/Woolery in Boise, Idaho. They enjoyed 10 years together. Jim loved being part of Vickie’s children and grandchildren’s lives.
Jim is predeceased by his parents, his sister Betty Lou Lebeda, and his stepson Drew Woolery. He is survived by his wife, Vicke Keezer, his children Amy (Doug) Yanagawa, Nathan (Larissa Story) Keezer, Natilie (Lan Richins) Keezer, and Alish (Kevin) Keezer-Lewis; stepchild Kari Mayo; grandson, Aiden James Yanagawa; step-grandchildren Kobe, Naomi and Tara Mayo; brother-in-law Charles Lebeda; sister-in-law, Debra Filler; many loving nieces and nephews, Navy Buddy Gary Eshelman, former wife Helen Burton, and countless students.
A Memorial Service will be held on February 23, 2024, in Boise Idaho, details will be posted on Jim’s Facebook page.