Mr. James J. Keppen

James Jeffrey Keppen, Sr., 64, of Roswell, Georgia died at 4:55 p.m., Wednesday, January 17, 2018 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday. Jim was born September 1, 1953, in Madison, South Dakota to Mary and Clare Keppen. Jim was a loving husband, father, stepfather and Big Papa. He was retired from a successful career in the Agricultural business. Jim retired after suffering a heart attack, almost exactly two years to the day of his death, so that he could move back to Georgia to spend time with his family and friends and enjoy time with his grandchildren. Jim was a respected businessman, mentor, leader and friend to all of the people he worked with. He was loved by so many people in the industry and touched lives in positive ways during his lifelong career, creating the best teams and guiding them to be the best that they could be. To quote one of his business colleagues, “Jim always shot straight, good or bad, but at the end of the day, he always made you better.” Jim’s favorite times were spent on the lake on his boat named ‘Big Papa’ because that is what his grandchildren call him, on his Harley Davidson motorcycle, riding through the beautiful countryside or watching his grandchildren’s basketball games. Jim and his wife, Patti, enjoyed many wonderful times together boating, riding and experiencing life the way he wanted to and were surrounded by a wonderful family and very large group of friends who were like a second family to them. Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia Keppen; his children, Jeff (Jenny) Keppen, Dusty (Theresa) Keppen, Jay (Courtney) Keppen, Molly Keppen, two step daughters, Kaitlin and Meghan Frederick, 5 beautiful grandchildren; Anna Clare, Flynn, Westin, Waverley and Everly and nine siblings, Lynne, Randy, Donna, Steve, Ray, Beth, Charlie, Katie and Robin. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 21st from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. with a service at 3:00 p.m. at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors & Crematory located at 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075. A reception will immediately follow for those who would like to stay to celebrate Jim’s life. We would be happy to have anyone who would like to share some happy stories about Jim at the service. In closing, his stepdaughter, Kaitlin, said it best “Heaven gained the coolest angel ever.” That is so very true and he will be missed dearly!

Mr. James J. Keppen

September 1, 1953 - January 17, 2018