Keith was born in Two Buttes, Colorado in 1932 to J. Harry and Grace Kelley who taught him his devotion to farming, family and his Lord God. Keith attended and graduated from Lamar High School in 1950.

While attending Lamar High School, Keith met the love of his life, Julia. They were married in October of Julia's senior year in school, 1952.

In between the births of their daughters, Sandra and Cheryl, Keith and Julia left the Lamar area and moved a little north of Boulder, Colorado to run a dairy there. From there, they moved into Boulder and Keith worked for Coca Cola, delivering on a route in the foothills above Boulder. At long last, in 1960, Keith found his dream job with Boulder Valley Public Schools working up to Warehouse Manager. He retired in1987.

Keith's surviving family include his wife, Julia, one brother, Kenneth Kelley, sister-in-law, Pam Kelley, and brother-in-law, Floyd Hoard; his daughters Sandra Howard and Cheryl Carlson (Tony). He has three grandchildren Greg Boettcher, Laura Carlson and Lana Hickey. He has six great-grandchildren Katie Boettcher, Caleb Boettcher, Piper Hickey, Bentley Hickey, Dylan Carlson and Tierney Hickey.

Keith's passion in this life was his love of his Lord. He carried out this passion in two avenues of service. One was by being a faithful church member; the most recent church being the Brush First Church of the Nazarene. The second was to belong to and faithfully serve with Gideons International. Keith became a Gideon by joining the Boulder Camp in about 1965. In 1987, after moving to Morgan County, Keith and Julia moved their membership to the Fort Morgan/Brush camp, continuing to serve in any capacity where needed. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting churches to introduce Gideons International to fellow believers. His favorite activity, though, was distributing Bibles and New Testaments to children and adults in elementary schools and colleges.

Keith is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Grace Kelley, brothers Floyd and Dale, sisters Bette Morris, Barbara Hoard and Jo Mae Myers, and his son-in-law, Glenn Howard.

A funeral is planned for Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 10:00am. It will be held at Heer Mortuary, 222 Cameron St. Brush, Colorado.

Keith's Service may be viewed online by clicking the link below:

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc3MDg0NDgyMzQwMDkwMSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Gideons International, PO Box 781, Fort Morgan, CO 80701.