James Matthew Keever

James Matthew Keever, age 63, a resident of Shohomish, WA died Tuesday, January 4, 2000 at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He was born August 15, 1936 in Fort Sumner. James attended school at Fort Sumner and Clovis where he was a member of the Class of 1954. He was a musician who played the steel guitar with the “Yeso Ramblers” at area dances during and following high school. Following graduation he worked at the Alamogordo (Lake Sumner) Dam until 1956. He served in the United States Air Force where he was trained as a Weapons Mechanic. Following his honorable discharge he worked as a carpenter alongside his father for many years. They worked throughout New Mexico and east Texas. He was married on July 26, 1986 in Colfax, WA. For the past 30 years he has been a resident of Washington. He was a master carpenter and cabinet maker. He loved horses and western games and enjoyed trail riding. James loved country music and dancing. He was a member of American Legion Post #96 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Snohomish, WA. He was preceded in death by his father Arthur Keever. Survivors include his wife Mary Keever of Snohomish, Washington; his mother Annie Mae McKnight of Fort Sumner; a daughter Cherry Lou Keever of Washington; two sons James Keever of Temple, TX and Kenneth Dale Keever of Snohomish, WA, two brothers Arthur Ray Keever of Conyers, GA and Charles Richard Keever of Santa Fe, NM, one sister Evelyn Sue Shaw of Santa Fe, NM and a half sister Georgia Rose Foster of Fort Sumner. Also surviving are three grandchildren along with a host of relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, January 8, 2000 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, Jim Keever will officiate. Interment of cremains will be at Fort Sumner Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to the Fort Sumner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 180; Fort Sumner, New Mexico 88119. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, NM