James “Jim” Graydon KeathAfton, OK

James (Jim) Graydon Keath, age 56, of Afton, Oklahoma formerly of Erie, Kansas passed away Monday, March 17, 2025 at his home in Afton, Oklahoma.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 24, 2025 at the Thayer Christian Church, 8495 Dorn Rd., Thayer, Kansas with the Pastor Gene Hewitt officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Elk City, Kansas under the direction of the Potts Chapel.

Visitation hours will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Wickham Family Funeral Home, 500 N. Forest Avenue in Chanute, Kansas. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

James (Jim) Graydon Keath was born July 12, 1968 in Independence, Kansas to James R. and Janice M. (Jones) Keath. He grew up in Fredonia and graduated from the Fredonia High School in 1986. He attended Labette County Community College. Jim went to work for the Independence EMT service for 3 years. He later became a EMT instructor.

In 1989 Jim moved to Erie, Kansas area and went to work for the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office where he worked as deputy, detective and the under Sheriff until he was appointed Sheriff in 1998 where he was the youngest Sheriff in the State of Kansas. Jim served Neosho County as Sheriff until his retirement in 2021. After his retirement Jim went to work for Reece Nichols Real Estate as well as becoming an Auctioneer in 2021.

Survivors include his parents James and Janice Keath of Fredonia, Kansas; one brother John and wife Ashley Keath of Sallisaw, Oklahoma; one nephew Kyle and wife Haley Keath of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; one niece Kelsi Keath of Neodesha, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his Grandparents Norman and Cynthia Keath and Graydon and Edith Jones.