Joe Wallace Keith Jr., 79 years old, of Fort Morgan, Colorado, passed away peacefully February 18, 2026 at East Morgan County Hospital  Brush, Colorado, surrounded by loved ones following a courageous multi-year battle with COPD.

Joe was born February 15, 1947 to Joe Wallace Keith Sr. and Madeline Virginia Calkins Keith in Grand Junction, Colorado as the ninth of eleven children. At the age of 18, Joe enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Perkins DD-877 until being honorably discharged in 1969 after being wounded in action in Vietnam. Joe earned a purple heart for his service. The USS Perkins was based out of San Diego, and during his time in the Navy, Joe visited many beautiful places such as Japan, and the Philippines. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Joe met and married Donna Drake, and shortly after, Joe adopted Donna's daughter Tammy as his own. In 1972, daughter Melissa Jo was born into the family Joe and Donna later divorced, but remained very close through their later lives, considering themselves to be more like siblings. During his working years, Joe held many jobs: building trails with the CCC, dog food chef at Purina Foods, truck driver, construction worker, and a mechanic at several shops across the state (including locally at Fort Morgan Auto Center). He lived in many places: San Diego, Commerce City, Estes Park, Fort Morgan, and Pueblo West, but he always considered the Grand Junction area to be his home. Joe will be best remembered as a classic story teller, as there was rarely a conversation that Joe didn't share a personal anecdote...some truth based, but generally speaking most stories came out of his mouth heavily embellished. Joe loved listening to music, watching cartoons like Family Guy and South Park, fishing, camping, spending time in the mountains, cheering on his much beloved San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos, but for him his most cherished time was spent with family.

Joe was preceded death by his parents, Joe Wallace Keith Sr. and Virginia Calkins Keith; a still-born sister Donna; sisters Sharon Flores and Janice Braslins; and brothers Larry Keith and Jim Keith; best friend Dave Shull; and several nieces and nephews.

He is survived by two daughters: Tammy (Keith) Grewe and husband David; Melissa Keith-Bird and wife Kris Bird; two grandaughters: Alisse (Grewe) Ramey and husband Levi, Carissa (Grewe) Rademacher and husband Nick; five great-grandchildren: Enola, Chris (CJ), Liam, Millie and Hannah Joe; Siblings: Don Keith, Jeanne Keith, Alice Southard (Richard), Judy Giddings (Ray), Barbara Ormsbee (Ed) and Chuck Keith; and a slew of nieces and nephews and greats. In addition to family, he is also survived by his ex-wife (and dear friend) Donna Shull; and special caregivers whom he considered friends: Vicki, Sue, Redina, and Cindy. Joe was an animal lover and will be greatly missed by his cat Kate, dog Duffy and a slew of grandpuppers and grandkittens.

A celebration of life service will be held at Rowanoak Mortuary and Crematory at 231 South Sherman Street, Fort Morgan Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1 pm, with a reception to follow at Kukaro Brewing at 120 W Railroad Fort Morgan from 2-4 pm. A veterans memorial service and burial will be held at Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Pkwy, Grand Junction, CO 81501 on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 1 pm, with a reception to follow. The Keith family kindly requests casual attire.

Condolences may be addressed to the Keith Family c/o Rowanoak Mortuary, 231 S. Sherman Street, Fort Morgan, Colorado, 80701