Keith David Mez was born to Charles Mez and Minnie Katherine Mez on October 10, 1932, in Falls City, Nebraska. He was the second of three children born into the family. Keith passed away peacefully in New Braunfels, Texas, on June 16, 2023, at the age of 90 years.
He attended Falls City Public School, graduating in May of 1950. Following graduation, Keith joined his father on the family farm. In 1951, Keith went on a blind date with Jennie (Joan) Richardson, beginning their life-long love story.
Keith was drafted by the US Army and entered selective service on March 10, 1953. He completed Basic Training at Fort Riley, Kansas. Following Basic Training, Keith completed the Pipeline Installer-Operator course, Engineer Department, Eta Jima Specialist School, finishing first in his class. Keith was sent to Korea, where he served his country until his release from active military service on February 5, 1955, at the rank of Corporal. While serving, he earned the United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and one overseas bar. Keith was then transferred to the Army Reserves for the next eight years.
Upon his return home from active duty, Keith married Joan Richardson on February 14, 1955, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. Keith and Joan began their married life on the family farm near Verdon, Nebraska, and remained there for the next few years, then moved to New Mexico and California for a short time while Keith worked in the pipeline industry. They later returned to southeast Nebraska and then to Omaha, where Keith completed coursework in Commercial and Residential Refrigeration. Utilizing his training, Keith worked for various companies in Omaha while a member of the Steamfitters and Plumbers Union Local 464.
In 1984 Keith and Joan moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he took a supervisory position in commercial refrigeration with HEB grocery stores. Keith remained with HEB until his retirement in 1997. Keith liked to say that he retired from HEB on Friday and went to work for Joan on Saturday.
Keith was preceded in death by his wife, Joan, of 62 years, his parents, Charles and Minnie Mez, his brother Harold Mez and his sister Lois Kehr.
Keith is survived by his sisters-in-law, Marie Lyons of Falls City, Nebraska and Peggy Fairbanks of Green Valley, Arizona, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Keith and Joan made many friends through their love of Square Dancing. Keith was an avid golfer and continued to play into his 80s. He also enjoyed tinkering and spent many hours creating apparatuses to help Joan be more independent as her MS progressed. Keith and Joan enjoyed a long, happy marriage and found joy in every day they spent together.
