Keith Marion Wilson, 51

Keith Marion Wilson, 51, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes. He was born June 30, 1954, in Fort Lewis, Wash., the son of Kenneth Marion and Bonnie Anne (Caveny) Wilson. Keith attended Elrod and Hedges Elementary schools, Central and Kalispell Junior High and graduated from Flathead High School in 1973. While at Flathead he was a member of Future Farmers of America, and was on the football and wrestling teams.

After graduation, he went to the Job Corps in Anaconda. He also graduated from Flathead Valley Community College in 1976 with an Associate of Arts degree in education. Working as a custodian, Keith earned enough money to go to Western Montana College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education, graduating in 1983.

For a while, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Kalispell area. He made the choice to go back to being a custodian, working for Diamond Lil's and Scotty's Bar and was employed at the Bull Dog at the time of his death.

Keith loved everything to do with history, science fiction and sports; mostly football. He had written short stories about each of these subjects. He also loved to read. He was a die-hard Rams fan, and when the Rams won the Super Bowl he was proud and thrilled. Keith also never missed a Flathead Braves home game in either football or wrestling. He was a quiet and gentle man who loved his family and was very proud to be a son, brother and uncle. He never forgot a birthday or holiday. His family will truly miss him.

Keith was a long-standing member of the Red Cross Blood Drive. He would love it if everyone who ever crossed his path donated a pint of blood in his memory.

Keith was preceded in death by his father and grandmother, Mary Caveny.

He is survived by his mother, Bonnie, of Kalispell; one brother, Kevin Wilson, also of Kalispell; one sister, Kathe Hedges, and husband, Scott, of Bigfork; nieces, Angie Griswold, of Lewiston, Idaho, and Amanda Buckley and husband, Jesse, of Renton, Wash.; grandniece and goddaughter, Gabrielle Griswold, of Whitefish; and aunt, Betty Carlson, and cousins in Alberta, Canada.

Memorial services for Keith will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the American Red Cross, 17-A First Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Keith's family.