David Clyde Keathley

David C. Keathley was an exceptional person. Exceptional is the word family and friends most often used to describe David, who was called to his eternal rest on September 22, 2026. Cherished husband, brother, friend and mentor, David was born December 3, 1950, in Toledo, Ohio to June (Ellis) and Clyde Keathley. He grew up in Worthington , Ohio, loved the outdoors and excelled in music; chosen for the All Ohio Youth Choir, playing Conrad Birdie (one of the leads in the WHS musical Bye Bye Birdie), and chosen, as a 17 year old freshman to play solo trumpet with The Ohio State University Marching Band. He earned a BS in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University, in preparation for a career as a national park ranger. He met his future wife, Carol Ann Fisher, at Ohio State and after her graduation they married on April 7, 1973. They moved west to Colorado the following summer, fulfilling a life-long goal to live in the mountains.

David earned his Colorado State teaching certificate at Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison. He went on to teach math and science and coach football and track at Cripple Creek Victor Schools in Colorado and for Pocatello Schools in Pocatello, Idaho. Deciding to finish engineering studies begun at OSU, David was admitted to the University of Washington where he earned a BS (with honors) and MS in Mechanical Engineering. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society. Upon graduation, he was employed by Jansen Technologies of Woodinville, where he was an engineer and developed mastery as a much-sought-out project manager for companies throughout the USA and Canada. After a move to Chelan, WA, David developed his passion for nature/landscape photography with his company LIGHTKEEPER. His photographs live on in the homes and hearts of people he loved.

David enjoyed fly fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, kayaking and photography. He competed on trials motorcycles with the Rocky Mountain Trials Association in Colorado and the Inland Northwest Trials Association in Washington. He loved animals and provided a loving home for Betsy, Shadow, Toppy, Patches, and Aurina. His two Siberian Forest cats, Angus and Merida, miss him. David cultivated a supportive circle of lifelong friends. Friends said “he was loved, treasured and appreciated”, “he was the most intelligent person”, “Carol’s lifetime partner, a true love match”, “had an uncanny ability to take anything apart and put it back together—better”, ”he was always willing to lend a helping hand”, “no matter their age, David was always able to make positive connections with people ”. David will be sorely missed by Carol, his lifetime partner and wife of 53 years, sister-in-laws (sisters of the heart) DJ (Tom) Mallow, Mary (Mike) Anson, brothers Paul (Teresa) Keathley, and Daniel (Mary) Keathley, nieces, nephews, and scores of friends.

Picture him with a smile on his face, walking with his Creator along a stream in a mountain meadow, fly rod and camera in hand.