Obituary of Michael James Keating

Michael James Keating, 82, passed away on March 11, 2014 in Gresham, Oregon. Michael was born September 22, 1931 in Tacoma, Washington, to Michael and Mary Keating. His early childhood was spent in Monroe, Oregon on the family apple orchard, during the Great Depression, then in Eugene where he helped out at the family’s grocery store on Willamette Street. Eugene was his home for most of the rest of this life. Mike loved airplanes and worked at the Eugene airport in his youth. He was a graduate of Eugene High and then served in the US Air Force as a gunner on a B-29 crew based in Texas during the Korean War era. After leaving the service he graduated from the business school at the University of Oregon. He owned a service station in town, and later formed Keating Construction Company with his brother, George Keating. Michael is survived by his brother, George, his four children, Richard, Jean, Jane and Janet, five grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Townsend Keating, and his sisters Mabel Haxby and Wilma Allum. Michael would always drop whatever he was doing to help a friend or family member in need fix, build or rebuild something in their home or vehicle. He had a love of old cars and airplanes and held a private pilot’s license, often traveling to air and car shows around the northwest and elsewhere. Michael also spent many happy hours and days with his family and friends at his cabin on Collard Lake, near Florence, and enjoyed walking miles of the nearby coastline searching for that perfect seashell or gathering firewood. Michael loved good conversation, and when asked how he was, would usually answer with a favorite quip: “Nearly perfect!” Well, Dad, your kids figure you are now perfect. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17 at Rest Haven Memorial Park, 3900 Willamette Street, Eugene. Arrangements entrusted to Poole-Larsen Funeral Home.