Keith Gumm

Visitation: Friday, April 23, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry.

Funeral Service: Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Terry High School Gymnasium in Terry.

Graveside Service: Friday, April 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ford County Cemetery in Ford County, Kansas.

Keith Elliott Gumm age 72, of Terry passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2010 of a massive heart attack at the Billings Clinic in Billings.

Keith was born on December 1, 1937 in Kingsdown, Kansas, the son of Lodema Clawson and Elliott A. Gumm. He attended schools in Kingsdown and graduated from Kingsdown High School in 1955. Following graduation, he attended Dodge City Junior College in Dodge City, Kansas for 2 yearsthen graduated from Fort Hays State College in Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He then taught High School Science and coached football for 5 years in McCracken, Kansas from 1962 1967. Keith graduated with a Master of Arts Degree in Botany from South Dakota University in Vermillion, South Dakota in 1968. He taught chemistry, biology, physics, and earth science in Terry, Montana for 42 years, beginning in the fall of 1968 until present. He completed several years towards a PhD degree at MSU, Bozeman, lacking only his dissertation to complete the degree. He coached football and track for many years in Terry School District, and was Athletic Director for over 10 years. He retired from full time teaching in 2000 and began teaching part-time that same year until present day.

Keith married Ross Irene Neely on September 28,1963 in Bucklin, Kansas and raised two sons: Kellye Keith born in November of 1964 and Jason Neely born in December of 1970. Keith served the Prairie County community many years as a volunteer fireman and ambulance driver, and was Fairboard Manager for 22 years. He also served on various local boards, and most recently served on the State wide Montana Schools and Welfare Board in Helena, Montana. He was an avid follower and fan/promoter of THS athletics. In recent years he enjoyed playing Hearts with his afternoon card-playing Buddies. The call to play cards was signified by the key words: The Game is on. He also enjoyed playing golf and bowling both in League and for fun for many years. Keith was a devout New York Yankee fan for over 60 years, and Dallas Cowboy fan since the 1960s. He attended many pro-games through the years with his family. He got to visit Yankee stadium in NYC in 2000 with his family as a retirement gift, and this year attended a cotton bowl game at the new Dallas Cowboy stadium in Texas. Keith enjoyed life, his family, his students, fellow Teachers, and his many friends. He touched the hearts of 3 generations of High School Students and their families with his dedication to their education.

Keith is survived by his wife Ross Irene of 47 years, son, Jason (Felicia Caime) Gumm of Fort Worth, TX; sister Arlene (Wendell) Maddox, Hays, KS; brother, Jerry (Enid) Gumm, Dodge City KS; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert Gumm, and son Kellye in 2006.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Terry High School Gymnasium in Terry. Interment will be held on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ford County Cemetery in Ford County, Kansas. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Terry is in charge of the arrangements. Should friends desire, a memorial will be established at the Terry High School in memory of Keith.