Alton Keith

Alton Wayne Keith, age 84, was born on March 16, 1937 to Elva Lawrence Keith and Edith Emma Johnson Keith near Delaware, Arkansas in the family “birthing house” and went to be with Jesus on November 12, 2021 in Caldwell, Kansas.  Growing up during World War II, the family moved around looking for work.  While in Indiana, he began his lifelong love of the Chicago Cubs going to Wrigley Field every chance he got.  Even during his granddaughter’s wedding he announced the Cubs won the World Series!  He graduated from Gore High School in 1956 and joined the United States Air Force shortly after graduation.  Due to his father’s declining health, he received a hardship discharge and came back to do the family farming in 1957 but he remained active in the reserves until 1962.

He and Evelyn Faye Osburn were married in 1959 in Medford.  Through the years he worked as a farmer, at the Allison Gas Station, Clyde Coop, Medford Lumber Yard, was the groundskeeper at Medford Public School and was the Service Manager at Long’s John Deere in Medford before he lost his eyesight to Retinitis Pigmentosa.  He loved gardening, animals of all kinds, and antiques.  He had a tender heart and loved his family dearly.

Alton is preceded in death by his parents, Elva and Edith; brother, Jimmy Keith; son-in-law, Jon Phillip Przybylski and brother-in-law, Larry Petty.

He is survived by Evelyn, his wife on 62 years; daughters, Luann Przybylski and Telisa (Kevin) McDowell of Medford; three grandchildren, Mandy (Derek) Sinor, Aaron (Jessica) Bliss and Janelle (Michael) Smith all of Medford; eight great-grandchildren, Peyton, Lyndee and Braxton Smith, Sutton and Ryker Smith and Colt Bliss all of Medford, Haydn and Hope Sinor of Tonkawa; one sister, Pauline Petty of Earlsboro.

Funeral service for Alton will be Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Medford First Christian Church.  Burial will be at Rosemound Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Medford.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook:  Lanman Funeral Home Inc.  There will be no public viewing.

Memorials may be made to Medford First Christian Church through the funeral home.