Keith Oliver Kosh Sr.

A time to be born: Keith Oliver Kosh Sr was born on September 9, 1957, to Thad Webster Kosh and Elnetta Kosh. He was the fourth of six children born from that union. At an early age, Keith accepted Jesus Christ at Guilford First Baptist Church in Guilford, MD. After the family moved to Mount Rainier MD, he joined North Brentwood Baptist Church, where he remained a member until his passing.

A time to learn: Keith began his education at Guilford Elementary School, he then transferred to Mount Rainier Elementary School when the family moved to Mount Rainier, Maryland in 1968. Later, he attended Mount Rainier Jr High School, where he ran track. He graduated from Northwestern High School, Hyattsville MD, in 1976 where he was a member of the varsity football team. Later in life Keith attended trucking school and obtained his CDL license.

A time to love: On May 22, 1982, Keith united in holy matrimony to Karen Machelle Benjamin. They nurtured and sustained their sacred commitment to each other for 41 years, and they lavished that same love on their sons, Keith Oliver Kosh Jr. (Keko) and Kelvin Aundree Kosh, who brought boundless joy to their father’s life.

A time to live: Keith was a tenacious and loving individual who grabbed life with both hands. He possessed an engaging personality, enjoying nothing better than spending time with his immediate and extended family, many faithful and loyal friends, and other people whom he chanced to meet along life’s way. He never met a stranger, only a friend to be. His boundless energy, positive outlook, and adventurous spirit were trademarks of his personality. He was friendly and lighthearted, quick to talk to and make friends with everyone he encountered, including strangers. His remarkable passion for life left an unforgettable impression on many, and he was greatly admired for his profound compassion for others including his dialysis family. Keith’s life was filled with many interests. He loved life, expressing it spontaneously and joyously through stories of his life. Oh, how he loved to tell stories, and he knew how to add twists and turns to make them more exciting and humorous. Keith was an avid football fan and could often be found in his team gear on any given Sunday watching his beloved Dallas Cowboys.

A time to work: Keith began his career working various transportation jobs, until he entered into a business relationship with a part ownership in a chain of laundromats and beer and wine stores. After the sale of the businesses, he went back to school to study, and became a CDL Truck Driver. He drove dump trucks until he retired in early 2016 due to health concerns.

Around the year 2000 and until his passing, Keith was a faithful and active member of Zeus, Inc., a social brotherhood that provides scholarships to deserving students. In the past, he served in the position of Secretary, working hard to develop ideas to raise money to serve the community. He loved his Zeus brothers and selflessly gave of his time whenever possible.

A time to transition: Keith’s courageous fight with Diabetes and Renal failure ended on June 16, 2023. He fought an intrepid battle every step of the way. Throughout his illness, Keith met each challenge with unwavering faith and a profound will to live. He gave life his best shot, always enduring every trial with grace, dignity, and optimism. He will forever be an inspiration to his loving family and friends.

A time to grieve: Keith was preceded in glory by his father Thad Sr.; mother Elnetta; brother Emory; sisters Sylvia and Renee. He leaves to cherish his memory a wife, Karen; two sons Keith Jr. and Kelvin; sisters Vernetta Roy, Jeanette Kosh-Wade, Alice Kosh-Henderson, Linda Kosh-Davis, and Patricia Kosh-Saddler; brothers Thad Jr. (Merle), Kenneth Sr. (Jean), Gerald Sr., Arnold (Kim), Ronald (Saundra), Darryl Sr. (Mary) and Arthur Saunders; brothers-in-law Mark Benjamin (Alejandra) and Cedric Benjamin (Crystal) and a whole host of family and friends.