Keith Locke

Raymond Keith Locke of Newkirk went to his eternal resting place on December 31, 2002, with his family by his side. He was 83 years of age. Keith was born November 26, 1939, on the John Reeves farm in Kay County to Myrl and Josephine Wiseman Locke.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Friday, January 6, 2023, in the First Baptist Church of Newkirk with Pastor Jason Raven officiating. Interment will follow in the Newkirk City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 5, 2023, in the Miller Stahl Funeral Home from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with the family in attendance to receive friends and relatives from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

He attended Sweetwater Rural School until the 5th grade then annexed to the 106 Consolidated School until the 8th grade. He then attended Newkirk High School, graduating with the class of 1957. Keith enlisted in the Army in 1961 and served until 1967.  He married the love of his life, LaFaun Bryson on October 6, 1962, in Cedar Vale, KS.  To this union a son, Steven Ray Locke was born. LaFaun preceded him in death on May 24, 2021. He was employed by Bill Conner Ford Company. He was also a welder for Moon Steel Company and worked at Mauer Neuer Packing Company.

In 1978 Keith and LaFaun opened Locke Auto Parts & Service in Newkirk which they operated together for over 40 years.  Keith was dedicated to the store and worked every day until his health forced him to retire in 2022.  He loved working on cars and visiting with his customers.  Keith could fix anything, sometimes even if it didn’t need fixing. Keith was always wanting to learn, and he attended Vo-Tech taking a machinist course at age 50 and later went back and took computer classes.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his son, Steven Locke, and his fiancé Kim Case, as well as his beloved grandson Ryan Locke. He’s also survived by his sister Faye Youngblood and other extended family and a host of friends. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

The family would like to offer special thanks to his caregivers Holli McKenzie and Richie Scott.

Online guest registry is available at www.millerstahl.com