(CAMERON) Elmer “Corky” Everett Keen, 90, of Cameron, passed away in Troy, Texas, surrounded by family on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m., July 21, 2025, at Marek-Burns-Laywell Funeral Home in Cameron with burial in the Keen Family Cemetery located on the family’s ranch just outside of Cameron. Visitation will be July 20, 2025 from 4-6 pm.
Corky was born on July 29, 1934, in Ft. Morgan, Colorado, to James E. Keen and Florence Rozella (Sparks) Keen. He met the mother of his children, Maggie Keen, on Valentine’s Day, 1952, and they were married on September 15, 1952, in Loveland, Colorado and would spend the next sixty-two years side by side. Corky flourished as a horseman, working as a jockey, farrier and becoming the youngest licensed trainer while establishing a premier race horse training facility in Colorado before moving to Cameron, Texas in 1979. He was a member of the Colorado Thoroughbred Association, the Texas Draft Horse Association and the Equine Dental Providers (EDP), Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
He won the Colorado State Championship bull riding in 1947 and again in 1951, the first time at the young age of 13. He went on to drive a Belgian 4-horse hitch, numerous teams, trained thoroughbreds, mules, donkey and raised cattle; built fences, drove dozers and tractors, but his greatest accomplishments were being a godly father, grand-father and friend to many. He served as Elder and Deacon
His love for family was evident as he was active in the everyday lives of his children and grandchildren, attending a myriad of their school and athletic events.
He loved God’s creatures, great and small, and found great pleasure in spending time outdoors. After the loss of Maggie in 2015, he spent the last few years sharing his love of horses with “Chottie” as they went on rides at state parks and even an Idaho cattle drive.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister, and wife, Margaret Helen (Tedder) Keen.
Survivors include his sisters, Norma Johnston of Thornton, Colorado and Beula Jane Goodrow, of Apache Junction, Arizona; his wife, Charlotte Sedillos-Keen along with her two children, Eduardo Sedillos and Andrea Sedillos of Troy; sons: Dale Keen and wife, Beth of Milano; Dallas Keen and wife, Donna of Burleson; daughters: Della Mekush and husband Johnny of Cameron; Diane Schmidt-Wilson and husband Tom Wilson of Amarillo; Donelle Keen-Tomascik and husband Mike Tomascik of Cameron; daughter-in-law, Vickie Keen of Cameron; 12 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made in Corky’s memory to Keen Family Trust, Cameron, Texas, for scholarship fund.
