Kelly Grant Keithly

1945 - 2021

KELLY GRANT

KEITHLY

Feb. 25, 1945 Sept. 20, 2021

Kelly Grant Keithly, 76, an icon and leader in the world vegetable seed industry, passed away suddenly from a heart condition this past week, September 20, 2021 in Yuma, Arizona, surrounded by his wife and children.

He was born on February 25, 1945, in Fort Collins, Colorado to Arthur and Virginia Keithly.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Cheryl of 56 years, children Kirin (Pat) Cooley, Karla (Jason) Auringer, Ernie (Erica) Keithly, Sue Ann (Jimmy) Harbolt, grandchildren Michael (Nasira), Chelsea (Matt), Elliot (Elizabeth), Bethany, Andrew, Jacob, Megan, Gregory, Makala, Cody, Allison, Luke, Blake, and great- grandchildren Mason, Emmett, Shaedyn, Ainsley and Isla. Kelly is also survived by sisters Sue Ann (Tom) Tate and Becky (Bob) Bledsoe, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kelly grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was active in 4-H which increasedhis passion for agriculture. Kelly graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Agriculture. He also served honorably in the U.S. Naval Reserve, where he served on Active Duty in Okinawa, Japan.

Kelly began his career as a salesman for Ferry Morse Seed Company in 1970 before joining Imperial Valley Milling Company in 1975, where he focused on vegetable seed sales. In 1981, he and his employer at Imperial Valley Milling Company, Walt Williams, founded a partnership by creating Keithly-Williams Seeds, a vegetable seed only company, with Kelly serving as President and CEO. Kelly, a visionary and leader expanded Keithly-Williams Seeds to become the largest vegetable seed dealer in North America, and some believe, the largest in the world.

Keithly-Williams Seeds started off with Kelly and two employees. Under his quiet consistent leadership the company currently employs over 300. Keithly - Williams Seeds became global entity operating mostly in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Because of Kelly's determination and hard work, Keithly-Williams Seeds has offices throughout North America where growers have ready access to a huge variety of the most sought-after seed products in the world.

Kelly stayed extremely active in the business working full time serving as its CEO and chairing the Executive Management Team right up until his sudden passing.

Kelly was very active in many professional and agricultural related associations where he received major recognition throughout the years, including:

Active Elder of Christ Lutheran Church

Current President of the Congregation of Christ Lutheran Church of Yuma

Past Elder and Congregation President of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Holtville

California Seed Association, member since 1975, President in 1997

American Seed Trade Association, where he was Chairman in 2008-2009

California State Seed Advisory Board, including term as President

International Seed Federation member since 1990, where he served on many committees

Alumni Council, University of Arizona CALS (College of Agriculture and Life Science) 2001-2007

Ag Advisory Committee, Holtville High School

Ag Advisory Committee, University of California, Cooperative Extension Meloland Field Station

Imperial Valley College Foundation

member for 25 years

Board of Trustees of Imperial Valley College - 12 years

Literacy Volunteers of America Chairman of "Incredible Reading Rally"

Work Force Investment Board member Imperial, Valley, CA

Holtville Rotary Club - 34 years

4-H Club Leader - 20 years

Kelly received numerous awards throughout his career, including:

Seed Trade Association of Arizona Honorary Member for contributions to the seed industry - 2015

University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Professional Achievement Award - 2013

ASTA Presidents Honorary Member Award - 2012

University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Achievement Award - 2009

(with wife, Cheryl)

University of Arizona, Alumni Association Distinguished Citizen Award - 2000

First Inductee into the Imperial Valley College

Hall of Fame for outstanding contributions

to the college - 2004

Citizen of the Year (with wife, Cheryl)

Holtville, CA - 1989

Concordia University Irvine Faithfulness and Excellence Award -2015

Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity (Alpha PI, University of Arizona) Hall of Fame Inductee, 2017

Kelly was also faithfully committed in his service to Lutheran Border Concerns Ministry, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Pastoral Leadership Institute, Concordia Seminary of St. Louis. These and many others were a huge and important part of his life.

In recent years Kelly spent his days in the field talking to and teaching his employees who he very much valued. Kelly's strength was ministering to people, whether it be through his service to his church family at Christ Lutheran or to his KWS family. He would spend a majority of his time traveling throughout the company and industry mentoring and training employees and associates. His love of ministering the Gospel and his relationship with his Lord, Jesus Christ touched and helped many lives.

Kelly put his money where his heart was and gave generously to all and didn't ask for anything in return. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Christ Lutheran Christ, Yuma Lutheran School or Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Services will be held Saturday October 2nd at 10:30am at Christ Lutheran Church in Yuma with a luncheon immediately following the Service. There will also be a live stream of the memorial service on YouTube. Please share the link below. It is a private link, so the service can only be accessed by clicking on the link, it cannot be searched. It will also be saved and available on YouTube after the day of the services by clicking the link...

https://youtu.be/dcFLvW3riK0

Christ Lutheran Church & Yuma Lutheran School 2555 S. Engler Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85365

Lutheran Hour Ministries kurt.buchholz@lhm.org

(800) 944-3450