Obituaries

West Virginia Hillbilly (as he called himself) James Keith Gaddy left this earth on January 3, 2022 to enjoy days by the ever flowing river with his Savior.

Keith (Dad) had a joyful demeanor – enjoying a good joke, becoming friends with the joint base employees, being known as the candy man at church, and doing a jig around the living room to his favorite country tune. Dad would cook breakfast for us when we visited, which is something he thought was important as we grew up. His son Tom has held that same tradition for his own children. Dad also somehow had an innate sense of ESP that would cause him to finish the sentences of his children.

He loved caring for the birds in his yard and making sure they had everything they needed. He also kept lifelong friendships with several people who were important to him via the “confuser”. He advocated for what he believed in by writing letters to the editor of several newspapers – speaking truth with love, compassion, and humor.

A daily ritual for him was to go to the store to pick up a newspaper (because having it delivered would be much too impersonal) & make sure his name wasn’t in the obituary column. Dad – you finally made it!

Keith was born to Mary Thomas Gaddy and James Hazel Gaddy on August 8, 1933 in an upstairs room of the Thomas Boarding House in Gauley Bridge, WV where his mother was also born and was run by his grandmother. His grandfather, William Dudley Thomas, was the first agent at the railroad depot in Gauley Bridge.

After graduating from Gauley Bridge High School, Gauley Bridge, West Virginia Keith joined the Air Force in 1952. He enjoyed his gunnery training, but ultimately excelled as a flight engineer.

In 1954 he married Doris Frost, (deceased), and they were stationed in Big Spring, TX. There, they had daughters Linda & Julia. While stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, son Tom was born.

During Dad’s time in the military, he had the opportunity to travel around the world. One of his favorite places was Japan, where he returned to visit in the future with his second wife, and our stepmom, Kimie.

Keith received several honors during his service to our country, including the Vietnam and Korean wars. Among his accolades are: • Distinguished Flying Cross for actions under enemy fire • Air Medal for single act of heroism while participating in aerial flight. • Citation for Bravery • Military Assistance Command, Vietnam—Studies and Observations Group (elite military unit of the Vietnam War) • Vietnam Service Medal • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal • Air Force Good Conduct Medal • Air Force Longevity Service Award • Marksmanship Awards

Upon retiring from the military in 1972, he embarked on a career as a loss control consultant for Federated Mutual Insurance Company. One of his favorite memories from that time was having the opportunity to go on a fishing trip to Canada with his friend and co-worker. From there, he tested and was offered a position with the United States Border Patrol as an Agent stationed in Laredo, TX. This proved to be quite an adventure as he was responsible and received accommodations for several important seizures that were made.

After total retirement, our Dad moved to Hanahan, SC where he made his home & made frequent trips to the Joint Base to visit friends he made there. His sense of adventure would cause him to show up on our doorstep as a surprise, planning his trips from SC to IN in order to get a haircut or see his favorite physician.

He has passed that wandering spirit along to his children, who all love to travel, go to state parks, & cook outdoors just like we did as children.

Keith is survived by his wife, Kimie Ishiguro Thomas Gaddy, sister Frances Gaddy Crookshanks, daughter Linda Ruth Gaddy Jurik (Anthony), daughter Julia Gaddy Bryant (Carey), Son James Thomas (Tom) Gaddy (Becky), Stepson Rick Thomas (Virginia), Stepdaughter Debbie Thomas Davis, 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews & cousins whom he dearly loved.

He is preceded in death by his Mother Mary Thomas Gaddy, Father James Hazel Gaddy, Sister Annette Dobbs, and child James Keith Gaddy, Jr.

James Keith Gaddy will be honored with a ceremony and interment at Arlington National Cemetery.