PHOENIX, Ariz.— Karl Keck, a long time farmer of the SLV died three weeks shy of his 103rd birthday.
Mr. Keck was born in Auburn, Kansas, Feb. 1, 1914. At age seven, he moved with his parents, three older brothers, and a younger sister to the San Luis Valley. He attended Sargent Schools then Center High School where he lettered in basketball and football graduating in 1932.
He took great pride in every crop he raised: sheep, potatoes, grain, cattle, hogs, and alfalfa only to name a few. The Denver Livestock Commission commended him on his high quality lambs. He was an active member of the Center Soil Conservation District for a number of years and served as secretary-treasurer. He was an avid reader and knew and remembered local, state and US history better than many experts. He and his wife, Mildred moved to Phoenix 20 years ago.
Though he and his wife Mildred of 56 years were married late in life and had no children of their own, he had been a “father figure” to two surviving nieces Linda Bowen of Phoenix and Gayle Wilson of Seattle. Also, surviving Mr. Keck besides his wife, is a nephew Tim Keck of Basye, Va.