Ira Keeler

Legendary model maker Ira Keeler 80 years old passed away on April 15, 2021 after a long illness. Ira was a self-taught model maker, a truly gifted artist and craftsperson. Best known for his work at Industrial Light and Magic, for nearly two decades he was an invaluable member of the team and contributed to dozens of projects. Model makers designed and created the futuristic special effects that made movies magical long before computer generated graphics used in today’s films

Ira started at ILM in 1981 and is well known for his work on Return of the Jedi, Back to the Future films (he made the Delorean time machine model). His designs and models were integral to such diverse projects as Jurassic Park, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Star Trek First Contact, James and the Giant Peach, The Rocketeer, and many additional movies made by Lucas Films and other studios.

Ira helped to design and build a model airport set for the movie “Always” he said the result was so realistic a small plane tried to land at the site and destroyed the set. But they quickly rebuilt it and filming resumed without delay.

Ira even appeared as a crew member in the original Star Tours ride at Disneyland.

Ira continued his model making after retiring from ILM. He started “Rockets by Ira” to design and build Buck Rogers styled model rockets out of sheet metal, plumbing parts, lamp parts and other bits and pieces found at the local hardware store.

He restored model trains and train dioramas sent to him by train hobbyists from all over the country.

Ira is survived by Joy, his loving wife of 56 years, daughter Dawn, son Shawn, granddaughter Jessica, grandson Matthew, brother Dave and sisters Nita and Rita.

Graveside services are scheduled April 28,2021 at the Vacaville-Elmira cemetery in Vacaville CA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity in memory of Ira Keeler.