Mr. James E. Keith
1924-2018
Mr. James Eyrl Keith passed away February 11, 2018 with his wife by his side, during a short hospital stay, from complications arising from an existing heart condition.
Jim was born in Uniontown Kansas to the late Eyrl Keith and Leola Swink. He was the fifth of nine children. Jim is preceded in death by his late wife, two brothers and three sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of nine years, Elsie Bukovez Keith , one brother, two sisters, two children as well as nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Jim served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a combat navigator, flying in B-24 Liberators. After the war, he started his own business in Houston, Texas. By January 1954 he was running his fledgling company, known as American Box and Cabinet Company, with a sales volume of $57,000 annually. By September of 1967 his company now known as Ambox, employed over one hundred Houstonians and was well on the way to becoming the successful company that still thrives today.
Jim's 65 years in the metal fabrication and finishing industry, coupled with his life-long generosity, provided many benefits to Ambox employees, and the greater Houston area. He was visionary in the early recognition of the importance of precision and accuracy in the metal fabrication business. He also rose above the small job shop category of small business of so many of his peers, implementing progressive management methods, training programs and instituting forward-looking employee benefit and profit sharing concepts.
Through the decades, Jim's generously benefitted numerous friends, acquaintances and charities, including the Catholic Community, the Roberto Clemente Heath Clinic, providing high quality health and wellness care for the Tola communities in Nicaragua, and countless other people of need whom he met along his path in life. He gave of his time and his intellect, as well as benefiting others with his financial resources.
Jim was Kansas born but was a Texan all of his adult life. Known for his generous considerations, kindness, integrity and respect for all, Jim will be missed by those who had the good fortune to know and work with him.
A Memorial Mass will be held in Jim's honor on March 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, located at 3131 El Dorado Blvd., Houston, Texas 77059. Mrs. Elsie Keith sends her gratitude to everyone who has known and supported Jim in life. She thanks you for your thoughts and asked that you please not send flowers or the like in memory of Jim. She feels that Jim was a very kind and generous man, and that he would be proud if you instead, find in your hearts to undertake a good deed for another person in need, in Jim's honor.