James William Keay Sr.

James William Keay was born November 16, 1921, at Manly, Iowa, and died June 23, 2011, at the age of 89. He was the son of William James Keay and Valborg Charlotte Keay. After high school at Logan, Iowa, where his father had been superintendent, he attended Dana College for one year. He went to Washington, D.C. to work in the War Department where he became a senior clerk in the finance division. Drafted into the army in Feb., 1943, he was sent to North Africa in August and subsequently to Italy where he served in Fifth Army for over two years, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant, believed to be one of the youngest in Fifth Army. After his army service, he attended the University of Colorado, graduating in 1947 with a degree in economics. While at Boulder, he was a member of Pi Gamma Mu, National Social Science Honor Society, was President of Gamma Delta, Lutheran Students Fraternity, and a member of Sigma Nu social fraternity. He next received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University and subsequently completed the Stonier School of Banking, Rutgers and the Advanced Management Program, Harvard. In 1949, he joined Republic National Bank of Dallas. In 1954, Jim married Frances Oglesby of San Angelo. He considered it an unparalleled blessing to be united with a person of such faith, hope, love and stunning beauty. They had three children; Martha Evelyn, James William, Jr. and Stuart Enslie. He and Frances were active members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and both served many functions. Jim was on the Board of Elders and Church Council for several terms, was stewardship chairman, on the board of education which established the church school, and on many commissions and committees. At Republic Bank he rose through various positions to become President and then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He was a member of American Bankers Association, serving on several committees. He was a member of the Association of Reserve City Bankers and served on its board of Directors. He was a member of the International Banking Conference which consisted of the largest 125 banks in the world, was a Director and delegate to conferences in the major financial centers of Europe, Asia and the Americas. He was a member of the Conference Board, the U.S. Korea Economic Council and on its Board. He chaired meetings of the Japan-Texas Society in our state and attended meetings in Japan. He established branches of Republic Bank in London and Singapore, and offices in Mexico City, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Jim was Honorary Consul General of Japan in Dallas. He was on the Board of Governors of S.M.U. for seven years in the 1980’s. Following 33 years at Republic, he retired and then joined Sammons Enterprises as President and Chief Executive Officer. Jim was on the board of directors of General American Oil Company, Austin Industries, Dallas Power and Light, Elgin National Watch Company, Trinity Universal Insurance Company, United Fidelity Life Insurance Company, Private Export Funding Corporation, Sammons Enterprises, and Republic Bank Corporation. He was Chairman of the Office of Southwestern Medical Foundation, and was on the boards of Excellence in Education Foundation and Dallas Foundation. He served Dallas Citizens Council as President, board and executive committee member. He was President of the Dallas Council on World Affairs, was on the board of the Cotton Bowl Council and was Vice President of Trinity River Improvement Central Business District Association. Jim was often called on to head capital fund raising activities and he remarked to his wife, Frances, “As a banker, they think I know who has money.” He headed the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts Capital Fund Campaign in 1980, which was very successful, leading the museum to its present downtown location. At the time, it was the largest private campaign in Dallas history. Jim worked many years for the United Way, becoming president, a lifetime board member, and chairman of the 1968 fund drive. There were about 75 agencies to be supported at the time and he visited about 60, which would pep up anyone to succeed. Jim was President, Board of Directors, Children’s’ Medical Center, and headed the capital fund campaign which finished construction of the hospital. He was chairman of the capital fund campaign which restored the Majestic Theatre to its former glory. He was chairman of an annual S. M.U. sustentation campaign and was honored with a key to the University. He was on the board of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, was Treasurer and Vice Chairman, development campaign. Jim was appointed by Governor Briscoe to be on the Texas Mass Transportation Commission, was Vice Chairman, leadership gifts, U.S. Olympic committee. He enjoyed golf (usually) and was a member of the Dallas Country Club, and had been a long time member of Preston Trail, Brook Hollow, and Augusta National. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Frances, and by his brother, Luther B. Keay. He is survived by two sons, James Keay and Stuart Keay; daughter, Martha Strauss and husband, Warren Martin Strauss; two grandsons, William Strauss and Grant Strauss; brother, Clinton J. Keay and sister, Ruth Eidsvoog. On July 4, 1945, M/Sgt. James W. Keay, in Italy, was awarded the Bronze Star by Lt. General Lucien K. Truscott, Commander, Fifth Army. He also had 4 battle stars. Sgt. Keay said “I was no hero and was infrequently in harm’s way.” The blessed Prophet Isaiah, sums up what is important: “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Memorial services will be on Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7611 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225.