In Remembrance

Keith Raymond Carter

Keith Raymond Carter, age 74, passed away in his home on July 3, 2026, leaving behind his wife Susie, twin brother Kenneth (Patti), 23 nieces and nephews, 46 great nieces and nephews, and 20 great-great nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count.

A tribute to the man that could fix anything.

Keith grew up in Morgan Park with his three siblings.  Raised to work hard and respect others.

He landed a job at Barko Hydraulics at the age of 18, and stayed there for 30 years, running the burning machine and cutting steel parts to build logging equipment.  He was always striving to find a better way to do things to save the company money.

In 2001, he started his own business at home in the shop he had built, doing the same things, but now as his own boss.  For seventeen years we worked side by side, making it a big success.

We were known for getting it done in a pinch.  One job stands out as an example to his dedication.  A machine shop needed a part for a breakdown on the Hoover Dam.  They contacted Keith and we were able to work late to get the job done and were able to get it delivered early the next morning.  He was always proud of the fact that one of his parts is part of the Hoover Dam.

We call him the metal man, because he could build and fix anything.  He had an incredible talent for designing and fixing things that no one thought was possible.  He didn’t know the term “can’t be done”, he would just scoff and say hold my beer.  I would sit back and watch the magic.  It was awesome!

Keith had a gruff exterior and could really piss people off, mostly because he was usually right.  But inside he was a big teddy bear with a kind heart.  If you were lucky emough to be in his circle, you know what I mean.

Having no kids of our own by choice, it did not stop him from getting involved with several young kids/teens.  He mentored them and showed them they could do anything they set their mind to.  Be confident and don’t take crap from anyone, don’t be afraid to try new things, and that there is no such thing as failure, its just a learning experience.  You know who you are and you need to know he was so very proud of each and every one of you for the strong successful adults you have become.  Know that he loved you like you were his own flesh and blood and was so happy to be part of your lives.

Keith will be missed by family and friends, too many to list, but he touched a lot of lives.

Mostly he will be missed by me.  48 years together and we were quite the team.  From working side by side building our home, landscaping, fencing, cutting trees, more landscaping, it never ended, but it was fun working together.  And again when we were running the business, working long hours to make it successful.  And it was all worth it, because we had eight years of retirement together, and oh the fun we had.  One adventure after another, traveling in our motor home from park to park.Riding our e-bikes, sitting around the fire and watching the sun go down.  Making friends along the way and just enjoying life.

I will miss our time in the evening, when the day was done, sitting on our deck overlooking the pond, chatting about what our next adventure would be.

And the one liners! I will so miss his dry sense of humor.  He would get a mischievous look and his blue eyes would twinkle, and boom, he would fire off something totally unexpected and I would laugh all day each time I thought about it.

He made me a better person, confident and strong.

I will be okay because of him, but will truly miss our life together.  Keith has seen his last sunset, but I will continue to see him in each new sunset until the day I die.

Per his request there will be no service, a promise I made and will keep.  So gather with friends and tell stories, and just remember the good times you have had with your friend.

Forever in my heart and never forgotten.