Derald Keith Strait

Keith Strait 91, died on Friday, February 20, 2026, at CommonSpirit Longmont United Hospital in Longmont, Colorado. He was born in Nash, Oklahoma on November 8, 1934, to Donald J. and D. Marie (Turner) Strait. He spent much of his youth in Mulvane, Kansas. On June 18, 1966, he married Elsie Anna Sailors in Englewood, Colorado. In 1967 they moved to Longmont, Colorado where they lived until 1997, and then moved to Berthoud, Colorado where they retired. He had a son, Donald Keith that was born on August 26, 1954, and preceded Keith in death on April 18, 2009. Keith and Elsie had two children, Jackie Ellen Strong (Strait) born July 20, 1968, and James Jay “Jim” Strait born November 7, 1970.

During Keith’s life he worked for The Boeing Company fueling jets. There he won the Carnegie Medal of honor for saving someone’s life. He trained horses at Centennial Racetrack in Littleton and continued to farm and ranch in Littleton and Longmont until his retirement in 1999. Keith enjoyed building windchimes, woodworking, and gardening on their acre property in Berthoud.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Melvin and Hershel), one sister (Retha), and his son Don. He is survived by his wife Elsie of 59 years, his brother Vernon of Mulvane, KS, his daughter Jackie (Tim) of Berthoud, his son Jim (Maria) of Ft. Lupton, Colorado, his grandkids David, Elena, Rebecca, Shaun, Zach, Alyssa and Sam, several great grandkids, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Keith was a hardworking, patient, devoted husband, father, and grandpa. He will be greatly missed.

A small graveside service will be held on Tuesday, March 3 at 1:30 at the Green Lawn Cemetery in Berthoud.