Former resident, Keith N. Louden, age 81, of Jamestown, KY, passed away into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 8:15 p.m. at Green Hill Rehab and Nursing Facility in Greensburg, KY with his loving wife and step-daughter by his side. He was born on Sunday, September 14, 1941 in Delton, MI to the late Andy and Florence Babcock Louden.
Keith attended and graduated from Delton High School, Delton, MI in June 1959. He had several jobs before starting with the Mich. DNR in 1969. From the Fall of 1969 through 1989 Keith sang in church, taught Awana and Sunday School to junior high boys.
He retired in 1990 from the Forest Management Division as an Area Fire Supervisor in charge of eleven counties in southwest Michigan. During his DNR career in Sault Ste. Marie, Naubinway, Allegan and Plainwell, he put on several Smokey the Bear Programs at numerous schools, took several training classes and taught Public Speaking to DNR employees. In 1976, he was on the crew that fought on the Seney fire in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In August 1977, he went with a crew from Michigan to fight wildfires in northern California. As a Fire Supervisor at the District Office in Plainwell, MI, he took classes at the National Advanced Fire and Resource Institute in Marana, Arizona.
After moving to Kentucky in 1993, he spent most days on the lake fishing. He was also involved as a Vice-President on the Board of the South Russell Volunteer Fire Department for several years. He loved to hunt, but didn’t hunt as much as when living up north and he also enjoyed singing karaoke with friends. Keith and Judy took their karaoke equipment to a local restaurant and did karaoke twice a month for six years. Keith built and remodeled several homes and loved to do woodworking. He loved his family very much, adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and spending time with friends.
Survivors include his devoted and loving wife, Judy, of almost 46 years. His daughter, Heather Sharp, Cross Timbers, MO, his son, Shawn (Cathy) Louden, Hopkins, MI., Step-sons, John Liefbroer, Jr, Allegan, MI and James Liefbroer and significant other Penny Canalas, Allen, MI. Step-daughter, Julie (Tim) Stephens, Russell Springs, KY. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, four brother-in-laws, Dan (Pat) Fales,, David Fales and Mike Fales all from Delton, MI and Clyde (Judy) Mottor, Allegan. Sister-in-laws, Sue (Ted) Damick, Allegan, MI and Patricia Lambright, Palatka, FL, many special nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a baby sister, Eleanor, his brother, Kenneth M. Louden, sisters and brother-in-laws, Juanita and Richard Short, Joanne and Charles Short, his first wife, Nancy Fales Louden a granddaughter, Nancy Evans Cannon, brother-in-law William Hycoop, sister-in-law Susan Mottor and both sets of in-laws.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Faith United Methodist Church in Delton, MI from 1:00 to 5:00. A light luncheon will be served.
Family requests memorial donations to Alzheimer’s Assoc. 225 N. Michigan Ave, FL 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (Funds to be used for Greater Kentucky); Comfort Keepers, 110 Richie Ln, Ste D, Somerset, KY 42503; Donation Processing Center, Autism Speaks, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, IA 50037-0148 or charity of choice.