James 'Jim' Francis Keaveny

JAMES FRANCIS KEAVENY - (Jimbo, Big Jim Keaveny, Jimsy), 69, of Ariel Washington, went to Heaven on December 25, 2017. Born to Frank and Evelyn Keaveny, he was the third of six children and loving Husband of Helen Keaveny, married in 1999. Jim lived most of his life in Portland, The Dalles, Oregon and Ariel, Washington.

At the young, tender age of 8 he would often recall this pivotal time in his life when he met Jesus while attending Madeleine Grade School and Church. When sharing this moment, in his words, "This was when everything started to make sense to me." This meeting of faith continued to give him much needed strength all throughout the rest of his life. Jim went on to be a graduate of the Grant High School class of 1966. Upon graduation he was drafted into The United States Army. Stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington with an MOS that many could only wish to have, piloting a ski boat for the wives of the officers.

Later Jim attended and completed a 4 year carpentry program at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. He enjoyed his trade, was very skilled, creative and artistic spending many years employed by the Army Corps of Engineers then moving on to work for Bonneville Power Administration, where he in recent years retired from.

Jim was a proud member of IBEW, the Knights of Columbus and soon after, served as a cook/chef in the National Guard.

Jimbo had the biggest heart, and the biggest hands! He was the most compassionate, empathetic, friendliest man you'd ever meet. The Irish in him stood out greatly in the quality of inclusivity and generosity towards all. If he had a fight, it was always for the "underdog" in any situation. Blessed enough to be in his presence, he would share with you a variety of (longwinded) stories where laughter was the medicine. His unrelenting sense of humor, upbeat, loving personality, despite whatever storm he weathered was infectious. He enjoyed projects of many kinds, especially those that involved his creative, artistic carpentry and craftsmanship skills. He strove to provide a warm welcoming home for his wife Helen, their children, grandchildren and friends. Some of his favorite activities were spending time eating and drinking with family and his life long treasured friends. He loved going to the ocean and had many plans to return with all "his girls."

Jimbo couldn't have been more loving or proud of all of his many daughters; Shannon Red Cloud of The Dalles, Jessica Speas Keaveny of Hillsboro, Andrea Heldsinger of Beaverton, Michelle Jensen, of Forest Grove, Lara Sio of Portland, Jacki Freeman of Happy Valley, Jennifer Lecorre of Sherwood, and Jamie Mann of Damascus.

He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Helen Keaveny; 8 daughters; 7 sons-in-law; 15 grandchildren; sister, Cindi Coleman; brother-in-law, Barry Coleman; brother, Gary Keaveny; sister-in-law, Pat Keaveny; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Rick and Cindy Stallman; & 7 nieces and nephews.

James is preceded in death by his father, Frank Keaveny; mother, Evelyn Trevor; stepfather, Bill Trevor; sister, Patricia Hagan; and brothers, Mike Keaveny and Randy Trevor.

Big Jim Keaveny will be deeply loved, cherished, missed and remembered always, by all.

A memorial service for Jim will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 10:00am to 11:00am at St. Mary Madeleine Parish, 3123 NE 24th Ave., Portland, Oregon 97212. Following the memorial service there will be a committal service from 12:30 to 1:00pm at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd., Portland, Oregon 97086.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Memory of Jim to the Children's Cancer Association http://joyrx.org/dedicate/ and/or AIDS United https://www.aidsunited.org/About/Donate.aspx