John Daniel Keating of Williamsburg, VA died on Sep 22, 2020. He was 89 years old.
"Jack" grew up in Kingston, NY graduating from Kingston High in 1948 while lettering in football and track. He was an avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout. Jack entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1950, lettering in 150lb football. He graduated with the Class of 1954 (20th Company).
Upon graduation, Jack reported to NAS Pensacola, FL for basic flight training in the AT-6 Texan then NAS Kingsville, TX for advanced flight training in the T-33 Shooting Star earning his Naval Aviator Wings in 1956.
Jack's first assignment was to VA-44 at NAS Jacksonville, FL where he flew F9F Cougars and the A-4D Skyhawk. He operated on the USS Randolph CV-15 and the USS Saratoga CV-60. In 1958, Jack reported to VA-72 at NAS Oceana, VA where he flew the A-4D Skyhawk and deployed to the Med on the USS Wasp CV-18. Jack married Joan (Klucz) Keating of Virginia Beach, VA at the NAS Oceana Chapel on July 11, 1959.
Later in 1959, Jack reported to the Naval Air Development Unit (NADU) at NAS South Weymouth, MA where he test flew most Navy aircraft in the inventory including the P-2V Neptune and the F-4 Phantom.
After leaving the Navy in 1961, Jack and his family moved to Bitburg, Germany where he worked as a test pilot for the LFE Corporation. In 1963, they re-located to Torrance, CA where he managed all west coast sales for the Link Simulation Company. Promoted to Senior Program Manager, they moved to Vestal, NY in 1964 where he assumed a key role in the expansion of Link's government business and was responsible for the development of flight simulators for the North American Apollo Command Module, Grumman Lunar Module, SR-71, P-3C, L-1011 and B-747 aircraft as well as the Trident Submarine program. Jack finished his distinguished career in Fairfax, VA as the Vice President for Link's Washington Operations.
He is survived by his wife Joan of 61 years; sons Michael-USNA 83 (and Stacey) of Sarasota, FL, John (and Judy) of Englewood, FL, and Geoffrey (and Kate) of Warrenton, VA; daughter Leslie Nalewaik (and Dave) of Kapolei, HI, and 11 grandchildren. He also leaves brother Thomas Keating of Madison, TN, and sister Ann Wehner (and Robert) of Alamo, CA. Jack is pre-deceased by his brother Stephen Keating and granddaughter Tiffany Keating.
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