James Keaton was born on February 24, 1942 to the late Hattie Bodiford and Tommy L. Keaton in Camilla, Georgia.  He was the youngest of three children.

At an early age he joined Greater Union Missionary Baptist Church, in Camilla, Georgia. He was a faithful steward and member serving as a Deacon and trustee.

His educational journey was in the Mitchell County Public School System beginning first grade at Rockdale in 1948. He was a 1960 graduate of Camilla Consolidated High School. After high school he attended Albany State College for one year. In 1965 he was drafted into the United States Army. In 1966 he married Emma L. Hicks. During his military career James received several awards and commendations to include: U.S. Bronze Star Medal; Army Commendation Medal for "Meritorious Service"; Certificate of Achievement "3 ^rd Armored Division U.S. of Europe; Army Commendation Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Commendation Medal Third Oak Leaf Cluster; 4 ^th Oak Leaf Cluster; "The Meritorious Service Medal". He gave over twenty years of service to his country. His military experiences prepared him to attain employment at the Marines Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia where he worked for twenty years. Not only did he maintain an honorable military career, he also diligently served the Mitchell County community in a number of capacities: Mitchell County School Board Member for fifteen years; Life member of the NAACP; active member of the American Legion Post 518.

James transitioned to his heavenly home on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

James, affectionately called "Booty Boy", leaves an enduring legacy of love, kindness, and good will for family and friends.

James is survived by his loving wife, Emma L. Hicks Keaton of Camilla,Georgia; sisters, Betty Harris and Cora Lee Odoms of Camilla, Georgia; sister-in-law, Kathryn Hicks Lofton of Camilla, Georgia; one uncle, Fred Hicks of Camilla, Georgia; two aunts, Ada Stevens of Miami, Florida, Sal Hicks of Trenton, New Jersey; nieces, Joann Odoms and Tracy Lofton of Camilla, Georgia, Gwennette (Norris) Williams of Enid, Oklahoma, Tabatha Carr of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; nephews, John Harris, Lamar Harris, Kenneth Ray Harris of Camilla, Georgia, Starley (Bonnie) Odoms of Albany, Georgia, Starling Odoms of Augusta, Georgia, Gerald Carr of Baltimore, Maryland; godchildren, Laura Patterson of Snellville, Georgia, Phillip Drebin of Baltimore, Maryland, Patrice Dawson, Keyare Richardson, Pamela Randell, Kesa Randell, Aniyah Randell, Ashlynn Richardson, Ayden Richardson, A. J. Sanders, Ashton Richardson, Cameron Silas of Camilla, Georgia, Leroy Randell of Frisco, Texas; special cousin, Alene Brown of Newton, Georgia; a host of other relatives and friends.