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Jimmy Keller's celebration of life enjoyed by many friends

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett hosted a celebration of life for Jimmy Keller
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This display table at Jim Keller's celebration of life brought back memories from the many friends who attended the event at Donna Barnett's home on Aug. 16.

By Al Jones

Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett hosted a celebration of life for Jimmy Keller at her Horse Lake home on Aug. 16.

While my wife, Gayle, and I were there, close to 150 friends and family arrived to remember Jim and swap stories and memories.

Folks arrived on ATVs, motorcycles and on every other mode of transportation imaginable and they came from all around the province.

We drank coffee and enjoyed Jim's favourite dessert – apple pie and ice cream.

It was a very special occasion for 100 Mile House's legendary character who was a fast pistol drawing, knife and axe throwing martial artist, and I was proud to call him my friend.

I met Jim Keller in 1981. He came and joined my newly opened kick boxing school of self-defense when I moved to 100 Mile House. Jimmy always checked out the various martial arts schools that opened in 100 Mile House, whether it was judo, taekwondo, karate or kick boxing.

He learned Bill Underwood's extremely deadly martial art of Combato in 1951, just before I was born, after the Second World War and was always extremely careful about who he taught it to.

When I taught Defendo, a milder form of the relatively unknown art, Jim came and taught us Combato and also how to use the martial arts cane, which he always had close at hand.

One of my prized possessions is the martial arts cane Jimmy made for me. When I requested he sign it,

Jim replied, "You want me to put my name on something you might have to hurt someone with?" Thanks to Donna Barnett for hosting Jimmy Keller's celebration of life.

Volunteers appreciated

Volunteers who donate their own personal time for causes they believe in, for free, are rare and valuable people in our community.

Lone Butte volunteers have recently helped to refinish the Lone Butte Community Hall floor and

replaced the treated wood on Water Tower Rest Station playground children's toy.

The park was temporarily closed until repairs could be done.

Al Jones is the Lone Butte correspondent