James Harry Keller

Son of the late retired Naval Captain Harry S. and Mary Jane Keller, and brother of the late Thomas Keller, James is survived by his son, Jacob of Charlotte; sister, Margaret of St Petersburg, FL; brother, Richard, and his wife, Jennifer of Washington, DC; his former wife, Packy Spahi of Charlotte; And many cousins, and dear friends.

James, the youngest of four children, was born in the Dominican Republic, post the 1965 Civil War. Following his birth, the family returned to the United States, first moving to Rhode Island, then Bethesda, Maryland. Later, still a child, he and the family relocated to Sasebo, Japan, and afterwards to Alameda, California. Eventually the family returned to Maryland. His formative years were spent in Bethesda, Maryland which he called home. He was known as “Jamie”.

In 1985, Jamie graduated from Walter Johnson High School. After High School, he joined the Marine Reserves, serving as a jet engine mechanic. This began his military passion. When home, Jamie thrilled the long time neighbor girls, and their friends, demonstrating his pushup abilities in the back yard. They have fond memories growing up with Jamie. He was the “heart throb,” especially while in the Reserves. During this time, he also endeavored on “covert military missions” with a fellow reservist, at the Maryland Great Falls Park, along the Potomac River. Dressed in camouflage and looking “official” they practiced “covert missions.” When on one occasion, confronted by local park security, after showing their military ID, they were “able to carry on.” Security wasn’t sure what to think. The escapade was always a great story.

While in the Marine Reserves, Jamie attended Mississippi State University, 1991-1994, and earned a BS in Industrial Technology. In 1995, Jamie enlisted in the Marines, and followed the Green to Gold path. He was accepted into Officer Candidate School leading to a Marine Corps career. His training included Small Arms Weapon Instructor Course, Infantry Mortar Leader’s Course, Expeditionary Warfare School, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor’s Course. He served in the Iraq war, 2005, in Qa’im, Western Iraq al Anbar Province, as an Operations Officer and Fire Support Coordinator. A highly decorated Marine Corps officer, in 2006, Jamie retired from the military, as a Major.

In his forties, after retirement, Jamie found art. He began his artistic path taking classes at Central Piedmont Community College, in Charlotte, North Carolina, some years ahead of being hired there to teach. He won Second Place in a school art recycling themed contest, for a plastic bag basket sculpture, “Plasket”. At a local Charlotte gallery art competition, he earned Best of Show for a sculpture, “Smoldering Memories”. It was then he decided to pursue an MFA. His Charlotte art teacher reinforced and assisted Jamie with a school selection.

Thanks to the GI Bill, Jamie completed a Master of Fine Arts degree, the summer of 2016, from Lesley University College of Art + Design, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. LUCAD introduced him to a wonderful cohort of artists, dedicated faculty, and staff. He felt the experience helped focus his work, and refine the delivery.

That Fall, he became an adjunct professor teaching art appreciation at Central Piedmont Community College, in Charlotte, from 2016-2022. He excelled in presenting contemplative art lessons to his students. The hiring chairperson stated, “His students adored him.” She received many positive messages about his teaching. He sought to inspire and broaden students’ minds to analyze, critique, and appreciate the creative art forms. Jamie thoroughly dedicated himself to teaching art.

Jamie’s life, and later years of art interest were greatly influenced by his elementary age living experience in Sasebo, Japan. His parents regularly took the family on excursions around Sasebo, exposing Jamie, and his siblings to the Japanese way of life, and history. He developed an immense appreciation for the culture. Revisiting Okinawa, Japan, during Marine training, coupled with visits to South Korea, and other Asian countries, further exposed and reinforced his Oriental cultural affinity. His home décor, and several art endeavors also reflected this sentiment.

Most notable was Jamie’s final Master of Fine Arts thesis and project. In his thesis titled,

“Leveraging the Sacred and the Profane”, he states his work presents “… a study of process and material that is framed in anachronistic military context.” He recreated a Samurai Soldier’s Suit of Armor, called “Fealty”, as his ultimate thesis art contribution. A teaching colleague thought it one of his best works.

This submission showcased Jamie’s youthful impressions from Japan, as well as capturing his military respect, and warrior spirit. He masterfully designed, and assembled his work of art using mostly American Marine Corp repurposed, military issue materials. These included: “… Military dunnage, bullet casings, straps, clips, uniforms, packs, buttons, snaps, thread, and cordage were used to make the armor .” He wanted his items

to be “… easily identified and validated by the average Marine. This is important because it is my provenance of being both the artist and former Marine.”

Jamie spent much time acquiring “Fealty’s” materials. He searched the internet, visited Marine Corps bases, surplus stores, and used his own collection of military artifacts. In addition, the Samurai helmet cleverly incorporated other repurposed materials, such as carefully cut, old LPs of military, and patriotic marches. His intricate construction was impeccable. Jamie valued, and respected both the United States Military, and Japanese Shogun history. If one cares to read more in detail, please note the entire thesis follows the obituary.

Outside of teaching, Jamie’s artistic fervor included a variety of mediums beyond painting such as wood working, wire wrapping, foundry, and sculpting. Often, military memorabilia was incorporated in his works.

Ultimately, painting was Jamie’s favorite medium. His subject matter portrayed vast thematic and genre diversity with much artistic expression. Several of his paintings conveyed whimsical, surrealistic and/or vivid scenes. Photographs and aged reproductions provided subject matter for new representations made with Jamie’s artistic touch. He took great pleasure in painting on surplus military tent canvas, using shades of night vision goggles green (NVG), to represent a soldier’s perspective. His meaningful NVG series express Jamie’s pride for, and dedication to, the Marine Corps. Numerous art pieces reflect deep meaning for which he

proudly explained.

Jamie’s visual art talents also included writing creative scripts, recording and performing in several YouTube videos for the “Leatherneck Reconnect Program”. He recognized the mission importance of two former Marines he commanded. These two men travel the country reconnecting and reuniting fellow soldiers after their service duty. Jamie dedicated his skills in support. He also hosted Marine Corps reunions at his North Carolina home because he stayed in touch and took care of his Marines. Jamie’s empathy was well known, and played an important part in his life. He tirelessly, and loyally championed dear friends with their struggles. A fellow Marine commented, “He was esteemed for leading from the front, and standing up to do what is right for his men”. Jamie loved, and is loved by his Marine Corps brothers, and other friends.

Experiencing, and embracing the great outdoors also defined much of Jamie’s other interests. He loved gardening, hiking, and exploring new areas. His verdant yard displayed a beautiful variety of seasonal flowering plants and earnest efforts to grow tomatoes, and other vegetables. He made, and delighted in explaining his yard art décor, and was always thinking ahead about other possible creations.

Jamie and his son, Jacob, enjoyed expeditions, camping and hiking trailheads with their beloved dog, Lila (“Dawg”), around North Carolina and other states. On one trip they explored Tennessee, and later visited South Carolina where they hiked, and camped specifically to view the 2017 total eclipse. Jamie often included an educational perk on their many trips. During some summers together, they explored Civil War Battlefields up and down the Eastern Seaboard, satisfying their shared American History fascination.

They also spent some months rebuilding a camper trailer. Anything not metal was rotten, leading to painstaking replacement. The completion reward was a wonderful trip West. Jamie and Jacob camped, explored, and experienced the Grand Canyon, including hiking the Brightstar Trail one mile deep. They also visited places in Arizona and Texas. Jamie appreciated the natural beauty of the great outdoors, and sharing the experiences with his son. He memorialized their trips, and experiences, taking many photos. He also did so while driving, holding the camera to film, and capture the scenery going by.

In addition to teaching his son about nature, Jamie set up a metal working, foundry area at home. He employed his acute mechanical skills and explored forging. He taught Jacob, and his friend the process of making knives. They heated the raw pieces of metal in the burning coals, and later hammered the metal into shape. Jamie liked working with tools, and sharing his abilities. He helped Jacob make projects separate from painting, such as metal sculpturing, and making and reproducing art forms from molds.

Music also played an important part in Jamie’s life. His eclectic musical taste included Bluegrass, leading to Banjo lessons for a while. He loved Rock n Roll, and could carry a tune singing nostalgic hits. He introduced Jacob to the rock band, The Who, eventually seeing them in concert together. Jamie made good use of his parent’s old 1960s record player. He liked to spin their infamous crooners’ records along with his favorite, more contemporary popular groups. He also decorated his workshop garage walls with old LP jackets recalling classic by-gone stars. One LP example is Herb Albert’s “Whipped Cream and other Nuances”. He also enjoyed Herb’s tunes among many other oldies.

Jamie left behind a lasting legacy with his family, and friends: Lending a helping hand, his caring, wit, sense of humor, one liners, euphemisms, leadership, intelligence, and vast creative skills, are all amongst his many character descriptors. Many may recall hearing his way of uttering, “Yes” in approval, or “Hey Mheng” aka “Hey Man.” Jamie will fondly be celebrated, and honored for his many attributes, by those who knew him, and hold him dear to their hearts.

Memorial donations in memory of James (Jamie) H. Keller can be made to Wounded Warriors and/or Tunnel 2 Towers (T2T). Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. Jamie was loved by many and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.