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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Keith Watson

Keith Watson Smith Profile Photo

Smith

September 19, 1938 – July 12, 2018

Obituary

ELLENBURG CENTER-Keith Watson Smith of Glendale Heights (Chicago), IL, and formerly of Ellenburg Center, NY, died July 12, 2018.
Born September 19, 1938 in Ellenburg, he was the son of Asa Watson Smith and Helen Lord Smith. Raised on the family's small farm doing chores, delivering milk and having a paper route, he still found time to enjoy the out-of-doors, making friends with pals and nature's critters, hunting, fishing and trapping.
Keith graduated from Ellenburg Central School in 1955 and promptly enlisted in the U. S. Air Force from 1955 through1959. Perhaps he was inspired to join the Air Force from his love of flying in the piper cub he flew with his father as a young teen. Following basic training at Sampson Air Force base in Geneva, NY, his training and orders took him to join the 363rd Reconnaissance Technical Squadron at Shaw Field Air Force Base located in Sumter, SC where he served in the Reserves until 1961. He was married to the former Helen Elizabeth Armstrong.
He graduated from Clemson University in 1963 with a B.S. in Industrial Management and entered the public sector on his first job at Milliken Textiles in Spartanburg, SC in1963.
This career path continued with a move to General Sales Company under James Armstrong until 1967 where he met Richard Keating, who would become his mentor and friend for the remaining years of Keith's career. Keith worked at Keating of Chicago as a regional sales representative, traveling the breadth of the US and Canada, serving as vice president of sales and special sales representative, earning many awards from the company with which he was associated from 1967 until his retirement in 2005.
His retirement gave him the opportunity to do those things he loved most – golfing, cooking and reading. Keith loved to cook and had every imaginable piece of equipment, tool and larder related to cooking. And what a reader! He lined the walls with books of mystery, crime drama and international spy intrigue. He lived in the home of his dreams on the ninth fairway of Glendale Lakes' golf course, a golfer's paradise but a nightmare for all the shots his house took from stray golf balls.
Keith was a member of the USGA, the American Legion, a charter member of the World War II Museum, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and the Illinois Rifle Association and a dedicated contributor to Toys for Tots and Native American schools.
Keith is survived by his two sons, Kevin Wythe Smith and Kris Wyatt Smith, three granddaughters, Kristen Ann Bales, and twins Mary Alexandra Smith & Katherine Elizabeth Smith, all of Eastover, South Carolina. One brother, Francis Wade Smith and wife Betty of Ellenburg Depot and a sister, Glenda Smith Rowe, of Plattsburgh also survive. Nephews Stephen, Stuart Smith and Shane Rowe and one niece, Shelia Robinson, along with several grandnieces and nephews, and friends in the Keating and Chicago family also remain.
Keith would be pleased if you support non-profit military organizations, the WWII Museum or disadvantaged children's groups.
Family and Friends are invited to a celebration of Keith's life to be held at the home of his brother, Francis Wade, 527 Canaan Rd., Ellenburg Depot, NY at 2 pm on Sunday October 14, 2018.
To share a photo, story, or condolence with the family, please visit, www.rabideaufuneralhome.com.
Local arrangements are being handled by the Rabideau Funeral Home, Ellenburg, NY.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Watson Smith, please visit our flower store.

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