James Keith MusKelley's Obituary
JAMES KEITH MUSKELLEY, 85, educator, writer, translator, world traveler, Spanish speaker, husband, grandfather, father, avid reader, collector, lover of theatre. Born October 21, 1925 in Jackson, TN to Metra Presley MusKelley and James Larkin MusKelley, James Keith would be a mischievous child who grew up to be Tennessee Teacher of the Year. He graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1944 when he was 17 years old and received permission from his parents to enlist in the Army. He was captured by the Germans along with thousands of American men at the Battle of the Bulge. Some of his experiences were shared on WKNO’s program about Memphis Veterans. When liberated by the Allies from his POW camp, Jim and other American soldiers walked to Paris and eventually made it home to the U.S.A. There, he attended the University of Mississippi. He was president of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, performed in the play Saint Joan, and made several lifelong friends. After graduation, Dr. MusKelley taught in the Mississippi school system, including Natchez, MS, where he met his future wife, Sara, who was also a teacher. After Jim and Sara married, he worked for Cook Cotton Company, and they moved to Mexico City and then to Torreón, Mexico. In August 1955, the MusKelleys returned to Memphis, and Jim taught Spanish at Whitehaven High School. While teaching at Whitehaven, he received the honor of Tennessee Teacher of the Year as well as the future friendships of many of the students who continued to keep in touch with him over the years. He and Sara also had two daughters while he was teaching at Whitehaven, Metra and Mary. An educator, who always continued being educated, James MusKelley began his Master’s work and teaching Spanish at then Memphis State. He attended the University of Indiana in Bloomington, IN, and also studied in Spain. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s he worked with developing international instructional units for teachers which involved his traveling all over the world with other educators as they compiled materials in teaching kits that even included cooking utensils that would be found in an Indian kitchen. He also assisted with educational programs throughout Latin America. Earning his doctorate in International Education in 1972, Dr. MusKelley directed the University of Memphis’ International Studies program as well as programs which provided opportunities for the study of other languages by members of corporations. This was a successful effort to open up the University of Memphis to ties with countries throughout the world. Life was always an adventure. One evening may involve a sheik coming to dinner, or perhaps the ambassador of Turkey might be coming another time. After he retired from the University of Memphis, Jim and his wife, Sara, traveled extensively until his health prevented them from going very far. On August 6, 2011, Dr. James Keith MusKelley passed away. In addition to his parents, Dr. MusKelley’s sister, Eunice MusKelley Tuggle, preceded him in death. On December 31, 2010, after 58 years of marriage, Sara went to heaven, as well. He had missed her terribly. He leaves his daughters, Metra Reid (James) of Bartlett and Mary McGowan (Mac) of Covington as well as his grandchildren, Jeb Baker, Josh Baker, Matthew Reid, Chelsea Reid, Mims McGowan Pigg (Sean), Gibb McGowan, and Molly McGowan. The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to caregivers, Lola Wilhite, Terri Hines, and Sherry Winston. In addition, they’d like to thank Dr. David Holloway and Mrs. Patty Hatcher, R.N. for their many years of kindness and care. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, with the funeral service to follow at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to The Salvation Army, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Porter Leath.
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