William Randall 'Randy' Keck

Randy Keck was born on October 28th, 1948, in Saint Jo, Texas to his father Donnie Earl Keck, and his mother Lena Faye (Reid) Keck. Randy passed away peacefully at his residence in Cortez on Friday, February 15, 2019. He is survived by his brothers, Rick (Cathy) Keck, and Joe (Susan) Keck, both of Cortez, and his nephews, Jedediah (Tia) Keck of Rock Hill, SC, Kale (Natalie) Keck of Hurst, TX, and nieces Kelsey Keck and Lindsay Wilkerson, both of Cortez. Randy is also survived by his friend and buddy, Jean Price. Randy’s early years included spending the first 6 years of his life in Nocona, TX. Randy spent his early 1st grade school year in several schools from Texas, to Utah, to Colorado, to North Dakota, then back to Colorado as his father worked for an energy company that moved his family numerous times. This period of having to move so many times in the first grade left a lifelong impression on Randy, and he wanted to plant some strong and deep roots in the place he loved, Cortez. He spent the rest of his life living in Cortez, except for his time away at college.
Randy attended schools in Cortez from 2nd grade through High School and graduated with honors from MCHS in 1967. Randy loved competitive sports and participated in basketball and football at MCHS. He won Coach Don (Digger) Ertel’s preseason best basketball player contest as a junior. He attended college at Colorado State University (CSU) and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology (Social Work) in 1971.
After graduating from CSU, Randy went to work for the Montezuma County Social Services as a Case Worker. Over his twenty 20+ year career there he was promoted to be Supervisor of the Department. Randy enjoyed his work very much and was an advocate for the many families and children in need that he worked for over the years. Randy believed deeply in addressing the rights and needs of lower income and minority people who he believed did not have the same levels of opportunity as he had been fortunate to have. During his career at Social Services, Randy touched the lives of many people with his passion and his professionalism, and helped so many economically disadvantaged people.
Randy had a strong passion for golf and tennis. He was always a highly competitive athlete. He participated in many golf tournaments at the Conquistador Golf Course and also won a few over the 25 years he played golf. He loved to golf and talk about investments with his golfing buddy Jim Harp. They were pretty much a fixture there at Conquistador. He was also active in playing tennis with his brother Joe and they spent many hours working each other over on the tennis courts. However, golf became his true passion and one at which he exceled. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 1789.
Randy enjoyed taking his nephews and nieces for shopping trips in Cortez and Farmington, talking to them about current issues and their lives, and entertaining them with his impersonations. Candy and treats were usually a main stay of these times together. He was also quite the comedian and did entertaining impersonations of comedians Paul Lynde, W.C. Fields, Rich Little and Hollywood stars, Colonel Clinger, Richard Dawson, Boris Karloff, Bella Lagosi, Christopher Lee, Lon Chaney, Jr., and Anthony Hopkins. Ran loved being the life of the gathering and his impersonations enabled him to accomplish that. When we traveled by car together Randy was always hard to beat at the Movie Game.
Randy’s family is thankful to the many health care providers who provided assistance to him over the course of his long illnesses.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held for William Randall (Randy) Keck on Saturday, October 26th at 4:00 PM at the Cortez Conference Center located at 2121 East Main Street, Cortez Colorado. Come join us to share your memories and celebrate Randy’s life.