LEWISTON – James T. Keene Sr., 75, of Leeds, went to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, Nov. 13, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, after a sudden illness.

He was born in Danville Junction, the son of the late James L. and Doris Ruby (Thurston) Keene. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1949.

On March 29, 1952, Jim married his lifelong love, Alice Seymour, at Keisler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. He served with the U.S. Air Force for four years and the Maine Army National Guard for 36 years. The last six years were on active duty at the headquarters in Camp Keyes, Augusta. He retired from military service in 1990, holding the rank of chief warrant officer 4.

Education was an important part of Jim’s life. In 1960, he graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. In 1968, he earned his master’s degree in civil engineering. In 1976, he was certified by the state of Maine as a professional engineer.

Jim taught at UMO for 10 years as an associate professor in the Engineering Graphics Department. He then served as the director of buildings and trades at UMO for 14 years. During this time, he also served as a volunteer captain for the UMO Fire Department.

Over the years, Jim did extensive work for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, including designing buildings, roads and boat launches all over the state. Jim was an avid fisherman and cherished the many fishing trips that he took with his cousin and best friend, Ken Thurston.

Jim was very active in his community and church. For more than 45 years, he volunteered for the Boy Scouts of America, assisting with both the Katahdin and Abenaki councils. He assisted with countless Scout camps and belonged to the Order of the Arrow.

Jim was the secretary of the Winthrop Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had previously served as a mission leader for the church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Alice (Seymour) Keene of Leeds; his son, James T. Keene Jr. and wife, Kathy, of Richmond, Texas; daughter, Susan Hershberger and husband, Kevin, of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter, Donna Murphy and husband, Michael, of Jefferson; daughter, Edith “Dee Dee” Keene of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter, Marie Evans and husband, Brandon, of Fort Bragg, N.C.; grandchildren, Brandon Chaloux, Tim Keene, Angela Hershberger, April and Meghan Murphy, Josh and Hannah Keene and the newest addition, Jacob Andrew Clayton “Jack” Keene; brother, Elery Keene of Winslow; sisters, Martha (Keene) Elkin of Sumner, and Elizabeth “Betty” Young and her husband, David, of Danville.