Danny Keith Keim was born April 30, 1951 in Akron, Colorado to Robert Keith Keim and Ella Louise (Cawthra) Keim. After a brief bout with cancer he died on August 27, 2018 at The Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. He was surrounded by family and friends.
Dan grew up west of Akron; he was the middle child and had two ornery brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Akron High School where he was active in football, drama and FFA (Future Farmers of America). His senior year he joined the wrestling team and placed 4th at state. Dan stole the show in Lil' Abner, when he came on stage as Earthquake McGoon booming out "Howdy Folks, I'm Earthquake McGoon, bustin out all over like June!"
The fall of 1969 he enlisted in the Navy, and he married Barbara (Bobbi) Dickson in June of 1971. Their daughter, Chan Keen was born July 20, 1972 in Charleston, South Carolina where he was stationed. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1973 and went to work for YW Electric one month later. Ryan Keith joined their family August 23, 1978. Dan was building their home west of Otis when Ryan was born.
Dan starting seeing Vickie Spear Braasch in 1990 and they soon fell in love with each other and each other's kids. After 13 years, the kids started planning their "shotgun" wedding and they were married in Otis on April 12, 2003. On that day, Lindsay and Shannon Braasch became daughters number two and three. His nephew Trevor Spear became his second son and fifth child.
Dan was a retired member of the Otis Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member the Otis Lion's Club and the Jaycees. He severed on the Otis School board for two terms and was President for several of those years. Dan was an integral part in the new school project.
Other than his family, he was the most proud of the Otis Baseball Field. He and his family worked many hours at the old field, running the concession stand and maintaining the field. He was one of the many people that worked diligently to get grants and funding for the new baseball field project. For at least two years all of Dan's spare time was spent building the Otis Baseball Field. After the completion of the field, Dan continued to upkeep the field and surrounding areas. He and Lemoyne Wolfe both spent a lot of time keeping the stickers out of the field and the playground. For many years Dan was a vital part of the Fourth of July Celebration, such as building the dunking booth, helping set up volleyball courts and making sure the grounds were in pristine shape for the big day.
Spending time at Lake McConaughy fishing, tubing, water skiing and playing on the water were a large part of Dan's life and his family's memories. On more than one occasion Dan caught fish that earned him Master Angler status. These trips were a special bonding time for all of the family. Fishing and hunting with his grandsons were a highlight of his life. Motorcycle trips with friends and family were also an activity Dan loved to take part in.
Dan loved the Otis community and was a pillar of the town, all town residents knew they could call on Dan for help and he would be there. He loved his Bulldogs and even though he did not graduate from Otis he was a true Bulldog at heart, he had a returning tie to the Akron School, through his grandson's activities and will be a Bulldog and a Ram forever.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Ella, his father in-law Herb Spear, his brother Kenny Keim, and a stillborn grandson, Rory Keith Keim. He is survived by his wife Vickie, children Chan McCall and husband Bryant, Ryan Keim and wife Jennifer, Lindsay Gilbert and Shannon Braasch, and nephew Trevor Spear. Grandchildren: Devin and wife Dana, Brynnan, Kaiden, Ashlyn, Ryder, Abby and Ainsley. Great Grandchildren: Allison, Kaitlyn and Tyson Daniel. Siblings: Linda Clark (Tim), Peggy Lowe and Terry Keim. Mother In-Law Mary Spear, sister in-laws Jerri Spear and Dodie Keim and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dan definitely lived by his unspoken motto: Work hard. Play hard. Love hard.
A funeral service will be held Friday, August 31, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Otis. A graveside service will be held Friday, August 31, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Akron Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Otis High School Baseball Field.