Arthur L. Keith

Arthur Louis Keith came into this bright world kicking and screaming on August 15th, 1923. He continued kicking, but with a little less screaming, to the ripe young age of 91. He passed peacefully in his sleep on September 9, 2014.

Art was born on the family farm south of Moreland in Graham County, Kansas. He was the 5th child of Dorwood and Mary Fleming Keith. Art grew up on the family farm with his 7 siblings during the Depression. It was here on the farm that he learned many lessons and skills that would serve and carry him throughout his entire life. Art attended school in the Moreland School District and graduated after the 8th grade. After school, he began working on the family farm and worked doing other odd jobs, construction projects and farm labor for other local families. During World War II, it was decided by Art and his older brothers that he would be the one to remain home to help on the farm during the war while Luther and Claude served in the military. Although he did not serve in the military, Art felt he had done his fair share to contribute by staying behind to help his father and other local farmers and ranchers.

On May 13th, 1948, Art married the love of his life, Ellen Irene Dyson. During their 66 years of marriage, they raised 3 children and fostered one son. They were also blessed with 6 grandchildren that brought them many hours of joy. Art was very proud of all his children, his grandchildren and the accomplishments they achieved.

Over the span of his working years, Art worked in many different fields. After marrying Ellen, he began working as a ranch hand on large cattle operations in western Kansas and the Colorado Springs area. Upon moving to Denver in the mid 1950’s, he began working in the trucking industry as a tire man and advancing to foreman. He worked for both ICX Trucking Company and Navajo Freight Lines up until his retirement. While working the swing shift at both of these companies, he also worked on a regular basis for Beaver Reality, helping to maintain rental and sale properties, and worked as a groundskeeper for South Adams County Water and Sanitation during the summer months. Fast forward 40 years, and his grandson Jerrod, as a summer job during high school and college, was mowing the same lots as his grandpa did. In 1998, Art and Ellen moved to Watkins, where he was once again able to enjoy his farming and ranching roots by helping out his son Jay with his small acreage farm.

While Art did not have any hobbies (let’s be real here-hobbies cost money and Art was not too keen on parting with that!), he did manage to keep himself busy with various things. One of the ways he stayed busy was helping out family and friends with any projects they had going on. It didn’t matter if it was digging a hole, building a shed, fixing a fence, roofing a house, plumbing, painting or whatever. He was always there, ready to go, and usually had a tip or trick to make the job a little easier and a little cheaper. Another one of his favorite pastimes was storytelling. Art was a natural born storyteller. It didn’t matter if he had known you for 50 years or for 5 minutes, he had a story to tell you. And a story he would tell. If you knew him, you’ve heard them all. From the time they put the hay wagon on the neighbor’s barn as a Halloween prank to the time they chained the sherriff’s axle to the telephone pole and then tore down the street in the Model A, you’ve heard them. Over and over and over. And you still laughed the 96th time you heard it because Art was a storyteller, and he loved telling them.

There were a few other things Art enjoyed. He enjoyed camping and was an avid Broncos fan. Art always had a special spot in his heart for animals and loved caring for them. Each week he awaited the Hill City newspaper and read it from cover to cover. Art even more anxiously awaited the circle letter each month and read that at least 2 or 3 times. As far as travel goes, he wasn’t a big goer. He really never expressed a desire to travel to remote parts of the world. But, if it meant he was going to see family, he couldn’t wait to pull out of the driveway. He looked forward to the Keith reunions every 3 years and could not wait for it to get here. He also loved the Stiverson reunions. He loved the time he was able to spend with any and all his family. Lastly, he never met a chicken fried steak or plate of biscuits and gravy that he did not love.

Art is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ellen. He is also survived by his son Jack and daughter-in-law Kathy of Houston, Texas; his daughter Joyce Keith of Arvada; son Jay Keith and daughter-in-law Lisa of Watkins; and foster son Chris Salaz and wife Socorro of Danbury, Connecticut; his sisters Ida Mae Belle Gilbert of Utica, Kansas and Mabel Hunsicker of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren Julie Castro, David Keith, Jerrod Keith, Kyle Salaz, Kelsey Keith and Courtney Keith, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Hilda Sage , Lola Atcheson, Luther Keith, Claude Keith and Dale Keith.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, Denver, CO.