Ira Keeler of Vacaville worked for Industrial Light and Magic for 20 years. During this span he worked on many Hollywood movies, including Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and four of the Star Wars films. (Aaron Rosenblatt/Daily Republic)

VACAVILLE — Not so long ago, in a galaxy (town) not far away, some “Star Wars” magic came to life.

Vacaville resident Ira Keeler worked for Industrial Light and Magic for 20 years. Not only have you seen his work in a bevy of films – more than 40 – anyone who took a trip on Disneyland’s Star Tours before the revamp, saw him, too.

At the end of the Star Tours ride, a man, holding a clipboard, ducks behind a desk fearing the craft is going to crash.

For years the story was that man was George Lucas. Keeler has the photos to prove it was him.

He also put some of his magic touches on the ride.

The memorabilia from his time at Industrial Light and Magic is a collector’s dream.

It includes the very first prototype helmet featured in the wooded chase scene in “Return of the Jedi.” Some of the helmet was carved in his Vacaville garage.

He also has a poster from the film with its original title, “Revenge of the Jedi.”

There’s the baseball-style hat that reads “Blue Harvest,” the code name for “Return of the Jedi” when it was being filmed.

Another classic item is the gold statue, designed to look like an Oscar, but instead features C3PO.

“Don’t tell them I did everything on ‘Star Wars,’ ” Keeler said. “I did my part.”

Keeler was working for a local cable company when friend Mike Fulmer, already working for ILM, suggested Keeler think about joining the crew.

His “audition” was to create a mold of a spaceship. Keeler was hired. He even has a copy of the confidentiality agreement he signed.

The Modesto native grew up making models. His father was a master machinist who made gunstocks.

“I built three row boats before I was in high school,” Keeler said.

The now-retired Keeler spends some of his free time making rockets. He also makes model airplanes, sans a kit.

All that experience was a plus when it came to crafting models for Industrial Light and Magic.

“Not only did he do full-size figures, he had to figure out how to miniaturize it,” said Keeler’s friend, Jonathan Burton, who builds R2D2 models.

Keeler’s stories from his two decades with ILM are fodder for a book any “Star Wars” fan would cherish.

There’s a picture of him working inside the Death Star set. He happily shares how one of the pieces utilized came from an office water bottle that sits on a dispenser.

He recalled working on the Death Star set at Christmastime and having the surreal experience of hearing holiday songs in the background.

One time, he and fellow workers made Storm Trooper costumes that would be used for public appearances.

“My job was to separate all the pieces (for packing),” Keeler said.

As the operation neared its end, Keeler had to tell his fellow packers, “I got one too many left arms.”

A search of about three boxes revealed another box with two right arms.

While bringing the magic to Industrial Light and Magic, Keeler said nothing could top going to the theater for the movie’s grand premiere and seeing his name in the credits.

Keeler has lived in Vacaville since 1960. He made the 100-mile commute to ILM until 2002.

“I saw the writing on the wall,” he said. “It was all going to be done with computers.”

He remains a “Star Wars” fan and feels the franchise is so well-loved because of the wonderful stories and fabulous presentation.

When Keeler sees “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” he’ll be another fan in the crowd. And, that’s the way he wants it.

“Ira is always going to downplay what he did,” Burton said. “He’s part of a really great craft you don’t see a whole lot of. It’s an art form.”

You can see Keeler’s rockets and some ILM work at www.facebook.com/IraKeelerRockets.

Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at 427-6957 or amaginnis@dailyrepublic.net. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amaginnisdr.