Dad was born on February 10, 1929 in Great Falls, Montana to Roger and Mary Keough. He died on June 27, 2024, just two days before his 72nd wedding anniversary.

Dad was raised at St. Joseph's Orphans Home in Helena, Montana until he was 14 years old. After that, he worked on various farms for room and board while attending school. He did not give his age and joined the Marines at age 17. He began his military service on October 5, 1946 and was honorably discharged on October 4, 1949. He and two of his fellow Marines founded the Marine Corps League in Great Falls. One night at a dance in Great Falls, Dad met the love of his life, Dorathy James. They later married on June 29, 1952 in their hometown of Joplin, Montana. They had a daughter, Patty, a son, Jim, and another daughter, Janice. Patty later died in March 1999.

Dad was a proud firefighter with the Great Falls Fire Department. He joined the department on November 11, 1952 and retired as a captain on August 29, 1979. During his years with the fire department, one of his greatest accomplishments came in 1966 when he saved the life of a five-year-old girl named Tari. His heroism made the front page of the Tribune and he was given a place to live by the Great Falls Fire Department. As an adult, Tari was able to meet Dad and personally thank him for saving her life.

Over the years, Dad was an active member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, eventually becoming president of the Montana Chapter. He played a large role in the broadcast of the Jerry Lewis Telethon on KRTV and spent countless hours recruiting the many volunteers needed to make the telethon and charity drive a success. From a very young age, Dad encouraged everyone in the family to get involved by answering calls and knocking on doors to raise money for children with muscular dystrophy. During his many years with the MDA, Dad received countless handwritten letters from Jerry Lewis.

Dad was a proud member of the Independent Order for Foresters, eventually rising through the ranks to become a member of the IOF High Court. With Dorathy by his side, he traveled throughout the United States and Canada, attending various IOF events.

Dad's love of baseball was evident in his support and coaching of many of Jim's baseball teams. He was always Jim's biggest fan and a very proud father when Jim was drafted to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In later years, no matter how cold it was, Dad rarely missed a game of the Americans, Jim's hockey team, and was always the first fan to arrive.

Dad leaves behind his son Jim (Lana), his daughter Janice (Darryl) Sack, his grandchildren Heather Finch, Dusty Sack, Quin Keough, Holly Clark, Kimberly Keough-Heck, Brittney Sack, Hannah Danzer, Karrah Mantel, Haven Smith and Mackenzie Ruebens, twenty great-grandchildren (with another on the way), six great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his very dear friend Mac.

His father was preceded in death by his wife Dorathy, his daughter Patty, his grandson-in-law Jon Danzer, his great-grandson Cody Benty, his twin brothers Joe and Jack Keough, and his sister Dorothy Fenton.

Dad had a special bond with his great-grandchildren, attending sporting events and music concerts and creating memories for them that will last a lifetime.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.