Opal Clayton Keith

1907 - 2007

BORN

1907

DIED

2007

Opal Keith Obituary

Opal Clayton Keith, 99, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Friday in Lacy Funeral Home Chapel, Stephenville. Burial: Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Stephenville. Visitation: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Lacy Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bluff Dale Baptist Church, Box 54, Bluff Dale, Texas 76433.

Opal was born Dec. 13, 1907, in Desdemona. After graduating from Desdemona High School, she moved to Fort Worth to attend business college and began work as a legal secretary. In 1929, she married her Desdemona classmate, Charles Fred Keith, who had also moved to Fort Worth to begin his career. After several years of working for various firms, she and her husband set about to establish their own business. Beginning with a bicycle rental shop in Forest Park, the Keiths later owned and operated roller-skating rinks in the 1930s and '40s on Fort Worth's north side and Daggett Avenue. Many a Fort Worth youth and Carswell Air Force Base airman enjoyed skating to popular organ music at the Keith roller rinks. In the late 1940s they purchased the Forest Park Golf Driving Range on University Drive near the Fort Worth Zoo. They expanded their operation to include miniature golf and batting cages. Forest Park Driving Range was a frequent stop for families, businessmen and professional golfers competing at the nearby Colonial Golf Tournament. Several years after retiring, Opal and her husband moved to their ranch in Erath County. Opal was a faithful member of Arlington Heights Baptist Church for over 50 years and later Bluff Dale Baptist Church. She was dearly loved by her family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by husband, Charles Fred Keith; son, Edward Keith; parents, Wilburn and Edna Clayton; brother, Estes Clayton; and sister, Laveda Krapf.

Survivors: Daughter, Evelyn McIntosh of North Richland Hills; daughter-in-law, Shirley Keith of Bluff Dale; sister-in-law, Marie Clayton of Stephenville; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Star-Telegram on Apr. 5, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Opal Keith

3 Entries

Barbara and David Christa

April 5, 2007

Our prayers are with all of your family. Sorry we couldn't make the visitation or funeral.

Virginia Hitchcock

April 5, 2007

Evelyn, there are no magic words, only a heartfelt wish and prayer that you may find strength and comfort in your memories. I will always remember seeing "Miss Opal" sitting on the front row of our SS class.She was a most precious lady.

Bruce Taylor Gaskamp

April 5, 2007

To Evelyn and Family.
We make claim of friends and the people who touch our lives but Mrs. Keith was someone much more than that to me. She was an example of character and wisdom. (Something we don't seem to find in our times, and with most people we meet.) A handshake, your word, honesty. People such as Opal are a true rare gem to meet, let alone be associated with. And that said, it was an honor to be graced by such a sole that walked this earth.

I can truly say that God had made available for us to cross paths.......

I was nothing more than a stranger when I first met Opal over a phone conversation. Through her kindness, I was able to rent a little house here in Fort Worth that belonged to her. And, in later years was able to purchase it. I can say that there was no one who would give me a chance in life to buy a house. But Opal did. And, to this day there are countless people who have heard the story of a kind hearted lady, Mrs. Keith who gave me a chance of a lifetime when no one would. My little house is so beautiful, and it's my most treasured possession I have. She told me of how much she loved this place. And said: "Bruce, take care of this place, it will make you a lovely home." And for years after I bought this place, I called to thank her for giving me a chance and believing in me. Some people we just won't ever forget. And Opal is one of them.

But most of all, I want to say that people come into our lives and touch us in a way that will forever change the course in which we live. I was a young man who basically had nothing, and Opal gave me hope, wisdom, and a belief that there are good people who will give you a chance in life. Through her actions, I am where I am today. I'm more compassionate for people who want help and are asking for a chance. I think that people who touch our hearts and minds become a little part of our make up. So, I believe I carry a little bit of Opal within me.

Someday we too shall meet again. Ohh, what I pleasure it will be. I don't forget a voice, or a smile. That will be dear to us all when we meet up again!

My Prayers to Evelyn, and family. If you all ever need me, then please call me anytime as I have always said.

God Bless, Bruce

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