Time is passing fast, isn't it? Never are we more reminded of that fact than when we look around and find someone we cared about has suddenly left us.
James Howard Keltner, who earned legendary achievements in law enforcement, retired happily back to his home neighborhood of Gradyville several years ago where he enjoyed story telling, collecting and trading, guitar strumming, and spending time with his wife, popular Adair County Public Health Nurse, Mary. Jim lost his first wife, Betty Hagan, to diabetes while they lived in Chicago with their son, Jeffrey.
Without warning,, at age 66, James Howard Keltner died from a heart attack, leaving family and friends in shock. Following is part of his obituary written by Bill Reiter, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, June 17, 2000, and reprinted here with permission:
As a boy, James Keltner dreamed of the day when he'd protect people and track down bad guys.
The Army veteran and retired federal agent with the Department of Justice did just that in a career that spanned more than 30 years and included undercover operations, life-threatening assignments and even standing guard over a first lady and her shoes.
A man who family members say always went after the bad guy was hooked at a young age on justice and adventure. His love of law enforcement was cemented during the 1950s with the Army when he stood guard in Germany to counter Russian forces in the area.
In 1964, he went to work for the Department of Justice. His 25 years there included stints in Customs Service tracking drug dealers, with the Secret Service guarding President Richard Nixon and First Lady Rosalynn Carter and other assignments.
But chasing criminals often got Mr. Keltner into sticky situations. An undercover operation on a ship suspected of bringing drugs into Chicago via Lake Michigan in the 1970s nearly cost him his life.
"The drug runners found out he was a federal agent by calling his house and talking to [his wife]," his son said. "They pretended they were agents, too, and she gave him up."
The drug runners locked Mr. Keltner below deck--he was given bananas and a six-pack of beer for sustenance--and pondered what to do with him.
"They talked about whether to kill him or not," his son said. "Three days later they threw him overboard as they left the harbor." While guarding Mrs. Carter he was given a peculiar mission: hold her shoes. "When she spoke, she took her shoes off," his son said. "He'd stand there with his hands behind his back, holding her shoes so no one could see them."
James Howard Keltner, who earned legendary achievements in law enforcement, retired happily back to his home neighborhood of Gradyville several years ago where he enjoyed story telling, collecting and trading, guitar strumming, and spending time with his wife, popular Adair County Public Health Nurse, Mary. Jim lost his first wife, Betty Hagan, to diabetes while they lived in Chicago with their son, Jeffrey.
Without warning,, at age 66, James Howard Keltner died from a heart attack, leaving family and friends in shock. Following is part of his obituary written by Bill Reiter, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, June 17, 2000, and reprinted here with permission:
As a boy, James Keltner dreamed of the day when he'd protect people and track down bad guys.
The Army veteran and retired federal agent with the Department of Justice did just that in a career that spanned more than 30 years and included undercover operations, life-threatening assignments and even standing guard over a first lady and her shoes.
A man who family members say always went after the bad guy was hooked at a young age on justice and adventure. His love of law enforcement was cemented during the 1950s with the Army when he stood guard in Germany to counter Russian forces in the area.
In 1964, he went to work for the Department of Justice. His 25 years there included stints in Customs Service tracking drug dealers, with the Secret Service guarding President Richard Nixon and First Lady Rosalynn Carter and other assignments.
But chasing criminals often got Mr. Keltner into sticky situations. An undercover operation on a ship suspected of bringing drugs into Chicago via Lake Michigan in the 1970s nearly cost him his life.
"The drug runners found out he was a federal agent by calling his house and talking to [his wife]," his son said. "They pretended they were agents, too, and she gave him up."
The drug runners locked Mr. Keltner below deck--he was given bananas and a six-pack of beer for sustenance--and pondered what to do with him.
"They talked about whether to kill him or not," his son said. "Three days later they threw him overboard as they left the harbor." While guarding Mrs. Carter he was given a peculiar mission: hold her shoes. "When she spoke, she took her shoes off," his son said. "He'd stand there with his hands behind his back, holding her shoes so no one could see them."
Time is passing fast, isn't it? Never are we more reminded of that fact than when we look around and find someone we cared about has suddenly left us.
James Howard Keltner, who earned legendary achievements in law enforcement, retired happily back to his home neighborhood of Gradyville several years ago where he enjoyed story telling, collecting and trading, guitar strumming, and spending time with his wife, popular Adair County Public Health Nurse, Mary. Jim lost his first wife, Betty Hagan, to diabetes while they lived in Chicago with their son, Jeffrey.
Without warning,, at age 66, James Howard Keltner died from a heart attack, leaving family and friends in shock. Following is part of his obituary written by Bill Reiter, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, June 17, 2000, and reprinted here with permission:
As a boy, James Keltner dreamed of the day when he'd protect people and track down bad guys.
The Army veteran and retired federal agent with the Department of Justice did just that in a career that spanned more than 30 years and included undercover operations, life-threatening assignments and even standing guard over a first lady and her shoes.
A man who family members say always went after the bad guy was hooked at a young age on justice and adventure. His love of law enforcement was cemented during the 1950s with the Army when he stood guard in Germany to counter Russian forces in the area.
In 1964, he went to work for the Department of Justice. His 25 years there included stints in Customs Service tracking drug dealers, with the Secret Service guarding President Richard Nixon and First Lady Rosalynn Carter and other assignments.
But chasing criminals often got Mr. Keltner into sticky situations. An undercover operation on a ship suspected of bringing drugs into Chicago via Lake Michigan in the 1970s nearly cost him his life.
"The drug runners found out he was a federal agent by calling his house and talking to [his wife]," his son said. "They pretended they were agents, too, and she gave him up."
The drug runners locked Mr. Keltner below deck--he was given bananas and a six-pack of beer for sustenance--and pondered what to do with him.
"They talked about whether to kill him or not," his son said. "Three days later they threw him overboard as they left the harbor." While guarding Mrs. Carter he was given a peculiar mission: hold her shoes. "When she spoke, she took her shoes off," his son said. "He'd stand there with his hands behind his back, holding her shoes so no one could see them."
James Howard Keltner, who earned legendary achievements in law enforcement, retired happily back to his home neighborhood of Gradyville several years ago where he enjoyed story telling, collecting and trading, guitar strumming, and spending time with his wife, popular Adair County Public Health Nurse, Mary. Jim lost his first wife, Betty Hagan, to diabetes while they lived in Chicago with their son, Jeffrey.
Without warning,, at age 66, James Howard Keltner died from a heart attack, leaving family and friends in shock. Following is part of his obituary written by Bill Reiter, Chicago Tribune Staff Writer, June 17, 2000, and reprinted here with permission:
As a boy, James Keltner dreamed of the day when he'd protect people and track down bad guys.
The Army veteran and retired federal agent with the Department of Justice did just that in a career that spanned more than 30 years and included undercover operations, life-threatening assignments and even standing guard over a first lady and her shoes.
A man who family members say always went after the bad guy was hooked at a young age on justice and adventure. His love of law enforcement was cemented during the 1950s with the Army when he stood guard in Germany to counter Russian forces in the area.
In 1964, he went to work for the Department of Justice. His 25 years there included stints in Customs Service tracking drug dealers, with the Secret Service guarding President Richard Nixon and First Lady Rosalynn Carter and other assignments.
But chasing criminals often got Mr. Keltner into sticky situations. An undercover operation on a ship suspected of bringing drugs into Chicago via Lake Michigan in the 1970s nearly cost him his life.
"The drug runners found out he was a federal agent by calling his house and talking to [his wife]," his son said. "They pretended they were agents, too, and she gave him up."
The drug runners locked Mr. Keltner below deck--he was given bananas and a six-pack of beer for sustenance--and pondered what to do with him.
"They talked about whether to kill him or not," his son said. "Three days later they threw him overboard as they left the harbor." While guarding Mrs. Carter he was given a peculiar mission: hold her shoes. "When she spoke, she took her shoes off," his son said. "He'd stand there with his hands behind his back, holding her shoes so no one could see them."
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