James Niles Keeney

James “Jim” Niles Keeney, 85 of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on December 17, 2025.

He was born on January 23, 1940, in Gary, Indiana to Don and Veda Keeney. He attended DePauw University in Indiana, MS Gulf Coast Community College, N.C. State, and graduated with an Anthropology degree from University of Southern Mississippi including one year of graduate classes.

James was awarded the (FEN) Far East Network Golden Mike Award (Nov ’69 ~ Oct. ’74) and was an officer for the 1699 Historical Association. He was a military Broadcaster most of his time with his Vietnam call signs being “Combat News Keeney” and “Weird Harold” and when stationed in Misawa, Japan, he had an award-winning morning show called “Dave at Dawn and Weird Guy”. He served for years as an active member at Gulf Coast Archaeological Society as well as excavating overseas.

He retired after twenty-three years with the United States Air Force after which he was a courier for fifteen years for Bancorp South.

He was an avid reader and tennis player, as well as a very kind, compassionate, beautiful soul/ Excentric man, great friend, and adored by his children and grandchildren who called him “Papa Jim”.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Veda Keeney, and sister, Jane Elizabeth Anthony.

He is survived by his spouse, JoAnne S. Keeney; children, Laura, Scott and Dana; three grandchildren, Kelsey, Bentleigh, and Jared; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, January 12, 2026 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Ocean Springs. Friends may visit one hour prior. Burial will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Homes is honored to serve the family of James “Jim” Niles Keeney.