James French Keith Jr.

A man of quiet reflection and endless compassion, James “Jim” French Keith, Jr., 86, departed this life peacefully on August 4, 2021. He was born on January 7, 1935 in Asheville, NC, the first child of the late James French Keith and Sarah Grace Stamey Keith. Jim’s gifts were rooted in his faith in God, his love for people, and his work in service learning and higher education.

Jim received his A.B. degree in Sociology from Wheaton College. He earned M.A. degrees in Sociology and Psychology from The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and completed additional doctoral work in higher education at The University of Georgia. Jim’s career as an educator began in Atlanta, where he also met his wife, Sue. In 1973, Jim accepted an invitation to join the faculty of Westmont College in California as Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Director of the College’s off-campus urban semester based in San Francisco. Soon after, Sue joined him. Jim’s work as Director of the Urban Program was the work he devoted himself to the rest of his life, experiential teaching with small circles of college students, expanding minds and changing the world through small and big acts of service and helping students to shape meaningful careers. Jim and Sue also became parents during their time in San Francisco. Three daughters they poured their hearts into were also raised by college students and a diverse community that quickly became family.

In 1981, Jim and his family returned to the East coast, relocating to Greensboro, NC, where Jim served as the Associate Dean of Students, Director of Experiential Learning, Director of Career Development and Placement, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Sociology at Guilford College over a 12 year span. Again, the Keith house was filled with colleagues and college students on any given day of the week, as Jim’s commitment to service and learning existed far past a classroom or a given position. After retirement from Guilford, Jim served as Program Officer for The Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, where he helped design service learning programs for higher education programs across the country. That work led Jim to begin an independent consulting service, Learning by Design, for a variety of communities including churches, universities, and non-profit agencies, helping to deepen commitments to service on many levels.

Jim relished a rich conversation, listening fully, scouring antique stores, setting picturesque place settings at his dining table prior to a gathering of loved ones, and watching people find their own way in this world. He loved connecting people together and spending time with family. During his many years in Greensboro, Jim uplifted his church communities at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and All Saints Episcopal Church, where he offered his gifts in many ways and found life-long friends. He also loved volunteering with countless organizations, including educational organizations that valued his wisdom and experience. Locally, Jim poured his heart into the Greensboro Housing Coalition, Triad Health Project’s Higher Ground, and many other non-profits that helped to better the lives of those who were struggling.

Jim paid attention to the little things and he found great value in what God called him to do – sharing a book, gifting a trinket, communicating his daily joys through a wry smile of bemusement, connecting people together on their journeys, shaping the lives of countless young people, and being a steady light for others. He loved so well as he showed others throughout his entire life how to honor, respect, affirm, and treasure ourselves and each other.

Those left to cherish his memory include his beloved wife of 46 years, Sue; his daughter, Emily Keith and her partner Trace Harris of Portland, OR; his daughter Sarah Keith Chowning (Jeff Chowning) of Greensboro, NC; granddaughters, Amanda and Megan Chowning of Greensboro, NC; and brother, William “Bill” Riley Keith (Lynda Keith) of Asheville, NC, along with countless dear friends and former students.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna Elizabeth Keith Rose, earlier this year.

A private service at Holy Trinity’s labyrinth is being planned by the family. The family deeply appreciates your prayers, love, and support.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 N. Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, Greensboro Housing Coalition, 1031 Summit Avenue Suite 1E-2, Greensboro, NC 27405, or Triad Health Project, 801 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com