U.S. Airman Who Dedicated His Life to Giving Back Interred at AVMC-Camp Navajo

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.- The Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo (AVMC-Camp Navajo) had the honor of interring a true American hero whose selflessness and duty to service extended beyond his military career.

Air Force Lt. Col. Keith Heimes was laid to rest at AVMC-Camp Navajo in May, surrounded by a loving family and a grateful community.

“He was so vibrant and full of life,” said his wife of 20 years Dana Heimes.

Hundreds gathered to say goodbye to the Airman who had spent his life giving back to his community.

Keith came from a military family, so the concepts of service and giving back were deeply woven into his whole being. In 1972, after completing his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska, Keith began his military career.

Throughout his time in the Air Force, he flew T-38, A-7 and F-16 fighter aircrafts during tours throughout the U.S., Europe, and Korea. By the time he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from Luke Air Force Base in 1992, he had earned more than half a dozen medals including a Meritorious service medal with two oak leaf clusters, an Air Force Commendation Medal and a National Defense Service Medal with a Bronze Star. 

Keith’s love of flying extended into his post-military career, where he spent another two decades flying as a captain and Federal Flight Deck Officer for Southwest Airlines. It was during this time that Keith met the love of his life Dana while flying from Phoenix to Albuquerque.

Dana said the last 10 years of his life were the fullest as Keith dedicated himself to giving back to his community.

“Service was his middle name,” Dana said. “He just wanted to make the world a better place through service and kindness.”

Whether it was the Arizona Elk Society, or the Boy Scouts or the Williams Sports Club, Keith put his heart and soul into his volunteer work. Dana joked that Keith was busier during his retirement than he had been when he was working.

Keith passed away suddenly on January 4.

At Keith’s funeral service, hundreds came to pay their respects at Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo—a testament to the many lives that the Airman touched during his life. The Circle of Honor ceremony led by the Patriot Guard Riders was the biggest one organizers had ever seen.

While the day was a heartbreaking one, Dana said the staff at AVMC-Camp Navajo helped ease some of the hurt with a flawless memorial service.

“There was not one hiccup, everything was beautiful and it was perfect,” Dana said. “(Cemetery Administrator) Judy Dillman worked so hard to make sure Keith was honored beautifully. The staff was just extraordinary.”

Thank you Keith for your service to your country.