James Keck

Funeral services for Clete Keck, will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 3, 2006 at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Peggy Brown officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m., Sunday, April 2, 2006 at Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel.Mr. Keck, 91, of Gillette, Wyoming died of natural causes at his home on Thursday, March 30, 2006. James Cletus Keck, the son of John and Louisa (Maddox), was born March 4, 1915 in Goin, Tennessee. The family moved to Campbell County, Wyoming on November 1, 1919 to a homestead 15 miles southeast of Gillette, and in 1924 they moved to Gillette. Clete graduated from Campbell County High School in 1935 and then went on to the Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota. After serving in the Army in World War II, he attended the University of Wyoming. On August 21, 1949, Clete married Mary Viola Fulkerson in Gillette. Mr. Keck was Supervisor for Soil Conservation Service from 1945 until 1950. He also worked for Fulkerson Oil Company from 1950 until 1957 when he started Clete?s Standard Service. When the company was sold in 1977, he began working in the service department at Farmer?s Coop until retiring in 1981. There was no question where Clete?s heart was; with his wife, his children and his vast extended family. He loved them as much as they loved him, and he shaped their lives and their character by his devotion and humor. Mr. Keck loved the University of Wyoming football and was a season ticket holder for over fifty years. He also loved going to Camel football and basketball games. Clete was very witty and could bring a smile to just about anyone?s face or maybe just cause them to stop for a moment of thought. He loved children of all ages and was known to give candy to any and all children that stopped by his service station, earning the nickname "Sweet Clete". He also enjoyed writing poetry. He was always thankful for every act of kindness shown to him, especially his caregivers of the past several years.Mr. Keck will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, 4 children: Barbara Anderson (Craig) of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Peggy Keck of Gillette, Wyoming, John Keck (Kathy) of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Nancy D?Albergaria (Thom) of Greeley, Colorado, and special family friends, Jim and Martha Sutherland of Tensleep Wyoming. He will also be missed by his grandchildren: Alyssa Anderson, Joshua Anderson, Kelsey Jordan, Barrett Jordan, Krysten Keck, Brittany Keck, Sean D?Albergaria, and Ann D?Albergaria, and special family friends Jef Sutherland and Marcy Argerus; 2 great-grandchildren: Austin Hurt and Sierra Schildmeier; 1 sister, Donna Jean Smith of Weston, Wyoming. Clete was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers: Clayton H. Keck, Conley M. Keck, and Claude T. Keck; 7 sisters: Nova McGuire, Zelma (Bea) Bridges, Reba Knapp, Retha Morgan, Emily Solomon, Darline Smith and Opal Barbe; 1 granddaughter and 2 infant grandchildren. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Mr. Keck?s name to benefit a scholarship fund for a student to major in education or to the BOCES Greenhouse in care of Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home 210 W. 5th St. Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet at www.stevensonandsons.com.