Obituary of Keith Otha Gideon

Keith Otha Gideon, of Beaverlodge, AB, passed away at his home in the small hours of Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the age of 87, with his beloved spouse, Dorothy Mackie, by his side.

 

Born in Rimbey, AB, Keith called many places home over the course of his life; Bentley, where he grew up and lived with his mother and sister; Sylvan Lake, where he farmed and drove school bus; Leslieville, where he dairy-farmed and raised his family; Beaverlodge, where he settled for the majority of his life and ran a bale-hauling businesses. Although he came across as a practical man, the places he chose to live had charm or rugged beauty, speaking to the romance in his soul.

 

A farmer to the very tips of his boots, he took pride in his agricultural lifestyle. He worked seismic for years to put money in the bank, eventually working his way up to Party Manager. His heart, however, was always in the land and with the people who made their living from it.

His friends found him genial, as willing to get behind the wheel of a tractor at harvest time or lend a hammer to a building project. He was the kind of neighbour who’d drop around for coffee and was welcomed enthusiastically.

 

Intelligent and inquisitive, he didn’t let his shortened education stop him from helping with high school algebra and trigonometry or keeping the neatest set of farm books an accountant has ever seen.

 

He liked to play cards and could often be found presiding over a crib board, hot coffee with a shot of Canadian Club beside him. Keith had a passion for animals and would often have a dog (or chicken) who thought they were people, having been thoroughly spoiled.

At an age when many were hanging up their skates in favour of an easy chair, Keith took up skating and goalkeeping for a local old-timer’s hockey club, often going into “overtime” at the Beaverlodge Hotel. Keith was larger than life, a legend to those of who knew him well.

 

His absence will be keenly felt by his spouse, Dorothy; sister Goya; kids Larry, Maureen, Kelly, Ralph, Ian, and James, and Dorothy’s children Darren, Megan, Morgan, Jenna, and Kristen – along with their spouses, children, and great-grandchildren; as well as Keith’s nieces and nephews.

 

He was predeceased in 2010 by Elaine, his wife of 53 years.

 

There are several Keith’s friends and friends of the Gideon family in the counties of Grande Prairie, Clearwater, and Lacombe who will also be saddened by his passing.

 

At Keith's request, there will be no formal service, although the family can expect a round-up call next Spring.

 

Should you wish, in lieu of flowers or cards, Dorothy has asked that a donation be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca).

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