Michael "Jud" Judson Keim "Keim Time"

Michael Judson Keim“Jud” | “KeimTime”January 6, 1964 – September 6, 2025

Michael Judson Keim—known to everyone as Jud and affectionately as “KeimTime”—lived a life anchored in faith, devoted to family, and fueled by passion. After a courageous seven-week battle with kidney cancer, Jud passed away on September 6, 2025, at the age of 61, confident in the promises of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Born on January 6, 1964, in Minot, ND, Jud moved a few times for his dad’s job at Boeing, ultimately settling in Federal Way, WA in 1968. He attended Federal Way High School, where he excelled in football and track. In 1982, his 4x100 relay team won the Washington State Championship. Jud went on to attend Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in 1986. A four-year letter winner in both football and track, he was a two-time All-Conference running back.

Jud’s coaching career took him to four states: starting at Minnesota State-Mankato where he earned his master’s degree in athletic administration (2 years), then on to California Lutheran University (4 years), back to Minnesota at Gustavus Adolphus College (4 years) and then full circle to his alma mater, Pacific Lutheran, in Tacoma, WA. He and Sari put down roots in Gig Harbor, WA and he coached at PLU for 20 years in a variety of roles, including interim head coach, special teams coordinator and for his final six years as the Defensive Coordinator, garnering rankings as the #2 defense in the Northwest Conference and NCAA ranking in sacks, tackles for loss and turnovers. Jud spent one season consulting the defense at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon and his final stop was in 2025 at University of Puget Sound.

At PLU, Jud was deeply influenced by his legendary football coach, Frosty Westering, embracing servant leadership and viewing football as an opportunity to teach character. It was at PLU that he started "Time with KeimTime" - moments intentionally set aside with his players, not for football, but to talk one-on-one about life. This reflected Jud's genuine desire to listen, support, and be present for his players.

A community volunteer and youth sports advocate, Jud served as a high school track & field official and ran his “More than Champions” youth football camp in Gig Harbor every summer for the past 18 years. Although Jud spent 31 years coaching college football and gained national recognition as a speaker and clinician, he never judged success by victories or awards. Instead, he measured it by meaningful relationships, changed lives, and strengthened faith. He was a mentor. A motivator. A life-changer.

PLU would become central to Jud’s life—not only as a student-athlete and coach, but also where Jud met Sari, just four days after she arrived at PLU. They were married in 1992, beginning a 33-year partnership that would be grounded in faith and unwavering support for one another…sprinkled with a lot of humor!

Their devotion to each other was evident in every season of life. Jud adored and respected Sari. He loved to brag about her, saying, “I outkicked the coverage!” Sari referred to Jud as, “my man”, and loved being his wife. She cherished the all-in joy and humor he brought to their marriage. Sari loved listening to Jud talk shop with coaches and watched him at practice, never ceasing to be amazed by his depth of knowledge and desire to teach and nurture both peers and players. Sari and Jud enjoyed date nights at local breweries - Jud was notorious for his love of craft beer! (Friends and family came to expect photos of IPAs after games or while he was traveling, and if you were heading somewhere Jud had been, he was always ready with brewery recommendations!) Their favorite vacation spot was Maui, and Kalen and Jace joined them every other year. When the PNW weather cleared each May, you’d find them on their boat, in the harbor, most evenings and weekends. Sari and Jud laughed together, worshiped together, and raised their family together, seeking to model a Christ-centered marriage rooted in forgiveness and grace.

They were blessed with two children, Kalen Jean (fondly referred to by Jud as “KJ" or “Bubba Jean”) and Jace Walter (Jud always called him “J-Dub”). They were the pride and joy of Jud’s life. He loved them fiercely and was proud of the people they had become.

Kalen was Jud’s biggest fan, inviting friends to the football games so they could meet up with him for a post-game debrief and "listen to him hold court". They shared a love for sports – especially the Mariners, Seahawks and Lutes. She ran track at PLU as a nod to his love and passion for the sport and because her dad told her at an early age that she had the gift of speed. Kalen really grasped Jud’s “effort and attitude are non-negotiable” mindset and has applied that motto to her own life.

Jace often spoke about how grateful he was for the values Jud instilled in him while growing up under his guidance and care. Jace’s decision to play football at PLU was a highlight for Jud knowing he’d be there as a part of it. They both loved golf and were each other's favorite partners. Jud and Jace shared a similar soft-hearted love for family and humble true grit in athletics.

Both kids thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with their dad! Kalen was constantly filming Jud because just about everything he did made Kalen and Jace laugh, especially his impromptu dancing when a good funk song came on. More than their scholastic and athletic accomplishments, Jud was most proud of Kalen and Jace for their character, faith, and hearts for others. He once said in a note to the kids, “It’s my life’s greatest blessing to be a dad.”

Jud’s priorities were clear: faith, family and football – always in that order – along with a deep love for funk music, fitness, friends and flip flops! A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Jud lived his faith boldly, sharing Christ’s love through his words, actions and relationships.

Jud is preceded in death by his father, Michael Keim. He is survived by his mother, Mary Keim (Missoula, MT); his wife of 33 years, Sari Tollefson Keim (Gig Harbor, WA); his daughter, Kalen Jean Keim (Seattle, WA); and his son, Jace Walter Keim (Tacoma, WA).

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”— 2 Timothy 4:7

If you are considering attending the memorial service, please send a private message to Sari Keim at keims@comcast.net so she can plan accordingly.