James Thomas Keenan, Jr. was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on August 3, 1948. While he was known to everyone as “Jake,” the origin of his nickname remains a family mystery.

Jake was a man of specific and endearing tastes. He loved Jamoca ice cream, Janis Joplin, and every sport except soccer and hockey. He loved to read the newspaper—the printed paper one—early in the morning, often saving comic strips to share with his family. “Jaker the Joker” was very, very funny.

At the age of 5, Jake and his family moved southwest to Albuquerque, New Mexico. After graduating from Del Norte High School in 1966, he served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971. His service took him to South Korea, Fort Huachuca in Arizona, and the remote Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Upon returning, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of New Mexico in 1976. That was a milestone year, as he also married his college sweetheart, 'Lulu,' and the couple relocated to Las Vegas. Jake loved the deep heat of the desert in the summer and driving with the windows down in August.

Like St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, Jake had an effortless connection with every animal he met — including the neighborhood cat that spent the last year "borrowing" his morning paper from the driveway. But his deepest bond was with his own pets; he kept his favorite dog, Tobey, close to his heart literally and figuratively, wearing her silver bone-shaped tag on a chain around his neck for a time.

Jake passed away on Jan 22, 2026 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Louella; his two daughters Jessica (Tyler) and Janice (John); and his three grandchildren Reagan, Jacob, and Lincoln. He leaves behind a family who will miss his comedy and his care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Best Friends Animal Society in Jake’s honor.

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