Randy Keeble
courtesy photo
Randy Keeble
RONAN — Randy Keeble passed away on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at his home in Ronan, after a long fight with cancer. In his passing we have lost a loving father, grandfather, husband, and a pillar of the Mission Valley community.
Randy was born Frank Randolph Keeble on Feb. 7, 1947, to Frank and Virginia Keeble in Gadsden, Alabama. He spent his youth in Florence, Alabama, where he developed his deep lifelong love of fishing, boating, and water skiing on Wilson Lake. A talented athlete since childhood, Randy was an all-state football player at Coffee High School in Florence, where he graduated in 1964. His love of baseball took him to Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, Florida, on a scholarship where he played, perhaps more than studied, from 1965 to 1967.
Randy’s life had a sudden change of course when he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War on Dec. 5, 1968. He served as a Staff Sergeant until 1970 when he was honorably discharged, earning two Bronze Star Medals for his bravery and heroism.
Randy returned to Florida after the war, where his life changed again when he met and married Barbara Phillips in 1971 in Sarasota. The couple moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Randy completed his bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation at the University of Alabama in 1975. Always having adventurous spirits, Barbara and Randy hit the road for New Mexico following his graduation, and eventually to Barbara’s hometown in Montana in 1980.
For the 40 years since, Randy has had a lasting impact on the Mission Valley. Randy was a central figure in building a successful baseball program in St. Ignatius, leading teams from Little League to Babe Ruth to impressive records. His knowledge and passion translated into the building of character and confidence, as well as skill in the young people with whom he worked. By the time he retired from coaching in 2009, everyone knew Coach Keeble was the one to beat. Randy also developed a vast amount of knowledge and experience in working with timber, first in his 23-year tenure with Logcrafter’s Log and Timber Homes, followed by Hunt’s Timbers until the end of his life.
Randy had many roles in his lifetime, excelling in most. However, his was a humble greatness, hallmarked by his strong principles and his dedication and commitment to his family. In our ever- changing world, Randy was a force of stability. He truly loved the simple joys in life the best – great music, sunshine on his face, a margarita, and a beautiful day on Flathead Lake. His legacy lives on in the community he served, the virtues he instilled in his players, and the people he loved and was loved by.
Randy is preceded in death by his mother and father, Frank and Virginia Keeble.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Phillips; his three children, Justin, Sean (Tavi McGregor), and Sara (Brice Sarver) Keeble; his granddaughter Oakleigh Keeble; his brothers Neal (Andrea) and Doug (Jonnie) Keeble; his brothers-in-law Mike and Bob Phillips; his nephews Chris, Joe, Tyler, and Brian Keeble; his niece Alina Graves; his uncle “B” Ingle; and numerous cousins.
Randy’s family will be holding a celebration of his life with details to be announced.
