Veteran radio manager Jim Keating has died in the Naples, FL area, where he had retired. An associate told RBR-TVBR that Keating had been battling brain cancer for some time. He was 69.
Keating’s long career in radio included several years running CBS Radio’s WCAU-AM & FM Philadelphia. He also managed for Beasley Broadcast Group and spent the latter years of his career as market manager for Clear Channel Radio in the Ft. Myers-Naples market.
Long-time friend and associate Jay Meyers noted that Keating had passionate interests outside broadcasting. “He also drove a NASCAR type race car on the local Florida circuit. He was very proud of that. In 2004, Jim joined Birmingham manager Jimmy Vineyard and I at Talladega where Jimmy had made arrangements for all of us to drive in one of the racing schools. 171 around the track, driving yourself, just a guy in the passenger seat who would grab the wheel if you screwed up. It was amazing,” Meyers said of the experience.
Keating died on Sunday, December 13th. Funeral arrangement are pending at the Naples Memorial Funeral Home.
