He was born October 28, 1933 in Lucerne, Colorado to Kenneth and Zoa (McMurry) Mackey. Keith moved numerous times throughout his childhood. When he was seven years old, he lost his right eye in an accident; it never stopped him from doing anything in life. Keith farmed with his brother and his dad until the family sold out in 1964. Following some Civil Services courses and International Beef Breeders School he learned the skill of artificial insemination of cattle and worked part-time for the USDA Soil Conservation Service. He worked a short time for the Great Western Sugar Company and part-time doing maintenance and operating heavy equipment for land leveling work. He was then offered a full-time position as an Engineering Technician with the Soil Conservation Service; after time in Longmont, Brighton, and Greeley he retired with 32 years of service in 1994.
Keith met his wife, Patricia Kramer, in the summer of 1958 during an arranged waterskiing date. They were married at St Peter Catholic Church in Greeley in April of 1959 and have three children, Kenny, Kayleen, and Konnie.
Keith was very involved in his children's lives and their sporting endeavors and continued the same support of his grandchildren. He was a hard worker and taught his children to always give 110 percent in everything they do. He lived by the moto, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best."
Keith is survived by his son, Kenny (Sherri) Mackey; daughters, Kayleen (Todd) Denning, and Konnie (Kevin) Jelden; sister, Kathy (Craig) Miller; 8 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, and another on the way.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Pat; his parents; his brother, Melvin Mackey; and his sister, Dottie Snidow.
A Graveside Service for Keith will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3400 W. 28th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80634.
In honor of Keith, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic School or Platte Valley High School FFA, in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th Street; Greeley, CO 80634.
