Howard Keith Coburn

Howard Keith Coburn, longtime resident of Crane, Texas, passed from this life on the 9th of May 2024, in San Angelo into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Keith was born July 19, 1932, to Howard and Clara McDermett Coburn in Cross Plains, Texas. Working on the family ranch with his Uncle Carlos taught Keith the value of hard work. He also learned to love and respect the land. After graduating from Cross Plains High School, Keith attended San Angelo Junior College, where he played football. Keith started as an offensive tackle for San Angelo in the Oleander Bowl. He transferred to Howard Payne University on a football scholarship. There he met Wanda Ruth Jones from Bloomburg, Texas. They married during a blizzard in January 1956, 10 days before he deployed with the U.S. Army to Germany. After returning to Texas, he graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in agriculture and education.
Keith taught science and coached for 28 years at Crane ISD. He also volunteered with the Crane Fire Department and EMS. After retiring from Crane ISD, Keith established Basin Safety and taught safety classes throughout West Texas.
Keith was a member of the Crane Masonic Lodge #1262, the Presbyterian Church, the Scottish Rite, El Maida Shrine Temple, Suez Temple, and the Shriner's Hospital for Children. Keith was a proud veteran and patriotic American.
One of the things Keith enjoyed the most was serving as a liaison between the families of burned and crippled children and Shrine hospitals in Texas. As the official El Maida Shrine EMT, he flew with many nurses and doctors on emergency flights with burned or crippled children. He served as the President of the Odessa El Maida Shrine Club from 1989-1990.
Keith used to hand out cards which read "If you meet me and you forget me, you have lost nothing, but if you meet Jesus Christ and forget Him, you have lost everything." Keith spent most of his 91 years serving and loving others, as Christ commanded.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Patti Dolgener, brother Charles Coburn, and nephews Clark and Mark Coburn. Keith is survived by his wife Wanda, for 68 years his constant, loving compan-ion; their son Stephen Keith and his wife Michelle of Greenville; granddaughter Claire Elise Coburn of Austin; grandson Cameron Keith Coburn of Austin; his sister-in-law Elise Cobb, of Edmond, Ok.; broth-er-in-law Jim Jones and wife Louise of San Angelo, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of San Angelo and Baptist Retirement Commu-nity, where Keith lived the final year of his life. Those who want to honor his life may do so by donating to Shriners Hospital for Children.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 1st from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Baptist Retirement Community, 902 Main Street, San Angelo, Texas.
"A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you."
John 13:34