Meeker, Obituaries

Obituary: Keith F. Dunbar

Keith F. Dunbar, 83, of Meeker, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at the Walbridge Wing long-term care facility in Meeker.

Keith was born Dec. 3, 1930, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Kenneth and Lucille Dunbar. His father, Ken, was an employee of John Deere and a semi-pro hockey player. Keith’s mother, Lucille was a housewife and worked part-time as a musician.
Keith moved to Meeker with his parents in September 1941, and began school in the fifth grade. His parents bought a ranch on the Government Road in the fall of 1943. He was graduated from grade school in 1945 and went on to Rio Blanco County High School that fall. Keith was a stellar football player and track star in high school. He was graduated from Rio Blanco County High School in May 1949. Keith then worked the summer of 1949 at the Rio Blanco Ranch on the upper White River.
In the fall of 1949, Keith was awarded a football scholarship to attend Colorado A&M (Colorado State University). He enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 8, 1951. He served as tech order and record keeper for an air crash inspection crew.
Keith played on the base football team and was named to the All-Southwest Service team. He would later receive a letter and bus ticket to Chicago from George Halas of the Chicago Bears for a walk-on tryout.
Keith was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Class 53 Baker. He was proud of the fact that he had 51 hours in a P-51 Mustang. Keith was unable to complete his air cadet training due to health problems and was honorably discharged in October 1952.
Keith returned to Meeker and married Sue LeFevre on June 5, 1953. He worked as a truck driver for approximately three years and then went to work in the U.S. Post Office and also the Rio Theater. Keith and Sue then moved to Ignacio, Colo., in March 1951, to operate the Buckskin Drive-In Theater and raise registered half-Arabian and Appaloosa horses. To this union two sons were born, Dale and Darwin.
Keith moved his family back to Meeker in 1964. He was elected Rio Blanco County judge in November 1964 and took office on Jan. 10, 1965. He served the people of Rio Blanco County for six terms or 24 years. During this time, he handled approximately 20,000 cases including misdemeanors, traffic violations, game and fish, felony preliminary hearings, arraignments, bond settings and civil cases. He retired from the bench on Jan. 12, 1989. He continued working with real estate until 1993.
Keith was an avid fisherman, hunter and golfer. He was a faithful Broncos and Rockies fan and would attend high school and college football games each fall.
Keith is survived by: his wife of 61 years, Sue; one son, Dale and his wife Jill of Meeker; two grandsons, Kevin (Heather) of Cedaredge, Colo., and Kurtis (Amanda) of Brea, Calif.; a great-grandson, Jackson of Cedaredge and his sister, Diane McKee; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. Keith was preceded in death by: his parents; one sister, Kay; and a son, Darwin.
Services are set for 11 a.m. on July 22, 2014, at the Methodist Church in Meeker, with a memorial barbecue and honor guard in Meeker City Park following the service.

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  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
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  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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  • Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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