Donald Keith Loder

Lowell

Keith Loder, sometimes called Tweed, Chief, or Papa K, died February 18. He was 75. Born in Woburn and a longtime Lowell resident, Keith was a builder, record collector, blues fan, lover of road trips, and a longtime purveyor of antiques, oddities, and some pretty decent weed. He was the founder of the Greater Milltown Dart League and a member of the Pawtucketville Social Club. Standing 6'4" and often wearing one of his many custom-made Hawaiian shirts, Keith stood out in any crowd. He will be remembered for his generosity to his friends, his ability to fix just about anything, his devotion to his red hound dog Murphy, and his penchant for telling uncomfortable stories at inappropriate times.

Keith was cremated wearing torn blue jeans and his favorite corduroy "dress" shirt, with Murphy's collar in his hands and a joint in his breast pocket. When the pandemic permits, his family will throw a party where his friends can celebrate Keith's long, strange trip on this earth. In lieu of flowers, Keith would want you to smoke 'em if you got 'em, overtip your server, and spoil the bejeezus out of your grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents, Robert D. Loder and Jessie L. Loder (née Parris); brothers Richard, Rex, and possibly Clay (who hasn't been heard from in years); and his beloved Murphy. He is survived by his three children: Blaine, Asjylyn, and Chad; nephew Ken; and two grandsons, Henry and Wyatt, whom he described as the two bestest grandchildren ever born. He never tired of telling his children how much he loved them, and he kept saying it right to the end.



View the online memorial for Donald Keith Loder