Obituary of Keith Schafer

John Keith Schafer passed away at Aurora Medical Center in Aurora, CO on February 9, 2017. Keith attended school in Boyero through the fifth grade, then later rode the bus to Hugo. Keith was a member of the Clifford 4-H club for six years and proudly had the Grand Champion Steer at the Lincoln County Fair in 1954. He was president both Junior and Senior class at Hugo High School where he later graduated in 1956. After high school Keith attended CSU for three years before he returned to the family ranch. After college Keith coached the Lincoln County Judging team for 4-5 years, and was also a leader for the Clifford 4-H Club. On May 29, 1970, Keith married Sharen Thornburg in Fort Collins, CO. They lived in the ranch house until 1988 when they built a new home in Fort Collins, CO. At this time, Keith stayed on the ranch to continue running the day-to-day operations. Keith later bought a house in Limon so he could be closer to his mother whom he deeply enjoyed caring for and spending time with; while commuting back and forth to Ft. Collins. In 2007, Keith decided to sell the family ranch, which was one of the toughest decisions Keith had to make. In 1984, Keith assumed the position of Board of Director for the First National Bank of Hugo after his father's passing. In 1996 he became the Chairman of the board and worked as a livestock and machinery loan inspector for many years. Keith was very active in the communities of the eastern plains. He was the secretary of both the Hugo Roping Club in the 1970's and the Hugo Gun Club in the mid 1960's, and helped put on several gun shows during this time. One of the proudest moments in Keith’s life was to be selected as an Honorary Member of the Limon L Club in 1997. He was the president of the Lincoln County Stockman’s Association and active member in the state and National Cattlemen’s Association. More recently, Keith enjoyed taking pictures at local weddings, sporting events, as well as senior pictures. He gave the sporting pictures not only to each athlete, but also to the Limon Leader, Ranchland News, and Eastern Colorado Plainsman for everyone to enjoy. Since 1979, Keith has taken tens of thousands of pictures, and has made such a deep, everlasting impact on so many lives in this community. Keith was preceded in death by his parents John Robert Schafer and Erma I. Schafer. He is survived by his wife Sharen Schafer of Fort Collins, CO; his brother Gary Schafer and sister-in-law Sharon Schafer of Boyero, CO; and his niece Kate Schafer of Boyero, CO.