John Dangler Keim

COLUMBIA - John Dangler Keim of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 21st, 2022 after a lengthy bout with cancer surrounded by his loved ones. He was 77. John was born on June 7th, 1945 in Lewistown, Pennsylvania to the late John and Anna Mary Keim.

John grew up in Lewistown surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who he maintained life-long relationships with. He was a natural athlete playing varsity sports for Lewistown High School. Upon high school graduation, he entered Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania where he met the love of his life in fellow freshman Andrea Schumann. After graduation in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree, the first in his family, John entered US Naval Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned into active duty and stationed in Charleston, South Carolina and served aboard the USS Sellers. During active duty John wed Andrea on February 3rd, 1968 in Andrea’s hometown of Tarrytown, New York and they honeymooned in Bermuda. This year they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Once John completed his active duty service, he worked for Price Waterhouse as a Certified Public Accountant in Philadelphia.

Living in Philadelphia only fed his fervent support for the various Philadelphia professional sports teams, but none more dearly to him than the Philadelphia Phillies. He attended the last game at the venerable Connie Mack stadium to watch a Phillie’s victory. A move in 1972 with Price Waterhouse brought him to Columbia, where John would raise his family with Andrea, which by now had grown to include a son and daughter. John spent most of his professional career as the chief financial officer for 32 years for Lexington based Medical Services of America, retiring in 2014. He also retired from the US Naval Reserve with a rank of Commander.

While living in Columbia he naturally became a supporter of the University of South Carolina athletics programs, both men’s and women’s teams, though he never lost his passion for the Phillies. There was never a decision on what to do for spring break week, it meant the family traveled to spring training in Florida to watch the Philadelphia Phillies. John traveled to watch the Phillies win the 1980 and 2008 World Series. He could also be found cheering on Gamecock football, baseball and basketball games. Football Saturdays often found him with the game muted on television, the play by play on the radio and a computer tracking it on-line. Likewise as a Lady Gamecock basketball season ticket holder, he was rewarded watching them win two National Championships and traveled to cheer them on during their various playoff runs. He was more than a spectator of sports, but participated in them throughout his life, playing basketball and softball in recreation leagues and also joining in the burgeoning running revolution and participating in the infancy of triathlons. It was during one of the latter events as an older participant that he acquired the nickname “Pops,” which he was called affectionately by his granddaughter and other loved ones.

Later golf become his sport of choice and it rubbed off on Andrea as the two of them played on courses throughout the southeast and across the country. The golf courses often seemed to be near casinos. Besides golf, John and Andrea traveled via European river cruise, Canadian Rockies by train and planes crisscrossing the world with family and friends and happily hosted holidays for the same groups. Less physical pursuits included a daily crossword puzzle or two and any numerous card games with family and friends.

John is survived by his loving and devoted wife Andrea, son Jarrett and his wife Alexia and their daughter Sofia of Atlanta; daughter Courtney Keim of Charlotte and sister Cathy Keim of St Petersburg, FL.

The family will receive friends at a visitation service to be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, Northeast Chapel, on November 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A burial with full military honors will be held the next day at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia.

John’s family would like to thank all of the hospice workers from Medical Services of America who provided such care and compassion for him during his final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Medical Services of America Hospice Care Charity Foundation.