Keith Layton

ROBERT KEITH LAYTON

NOVEMBER 9, 1927 – JANUARY 16, 2020

On January 16, 2020, Heaven gained another strong Okie to help with rototilling the garden, and Vonnie Layton got her Pinochle partner back.

Robert Keith Layton (“Keith”) was born on November 9, 1927 in Pauls Valley, OK to Aubrey and Irene Layton. It was in these formative years that he learned the value of hard work, while helping his father on the numerous farms that his parents owned. As a young adult, he learned to grow and pick cotton.

Keith graduated from Elk City High School in Elk City, OK in 1944.  At the age of 17 he joined the Navy and completed boot camp in San Diego, CA before leaving for Hawaii to serve his nation in World War II. Keith began his long journey to Japan on the USS YMS-346 Minesweeper and was convinced that if the war hadn’t ended when it did, he wasn’t going to return. Keith spent some time in Japan and the Philippine Islands before heading back home on the USS Susquehanna in 1946.

Keith’s post-war journey took him to many different places. He enrolled and spent one year at the Southwestern School of Technology, but soon realized it was not for him, and he started on his voyage as a tax-paying, working adult. Keith worked in a lumber yard and crated and sold fruit in Grand Junction, CO.  Keith was employed as a seismologist by Petroleum Consultants, Inc. While in this position, he was sent to Eastern Texas to work on a surveying crew, which was one of his favorite jobs.  Keith was eventually transferred to Bismarck, ND, where he met LaVonne Lien, who was working in the local bowling alley. They wed on January 28, 1951 in Steele, ND. Keith was later transferred to Minot, ND. Keith next took a job as a petroleum scout with Superior Oil in Miles City, MT. The next stop in Keith’s job with Superior Oil was Denver, CO.

Keith was eventually transferred to Wyoming. The family loaded up their pink station wagon and moved to Casper, WY in January, 1964. Keith worked for Superior Oil for many years and then was recruited by Gulf Oil as a Petroleum Landman, where he worked and garnered many friends in his travels throughout the Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota and Montana areas.  Keith then took a job with Double Eagle Petroleum and Mining, where he eventually retired at the age of 64.

After 33 years of marriage, Keith lost Vonnie on April 14, 1984.

On November 22, 1986, Keith married Alelia Hohbein, with whom he shared another 33 years of love and companionship. Keith adored his three step daughters, Becky, Sheri, and Kim, as if they were his own.

Keith enjoyed participating in and watching sports. He loved playing catcher and long-ball hitter in fast pitch softball, bowling with friends and family, golfing, fishing, and playing pool.  Keith coached his son, Mike, and various other youngsters throughout their local baseball careers. Keith loved watching the local Wyoming Cavalry Indoor football team, the Denver Broncos, the Colorado Rockies and the UW Cowboys.

Keith was very much a family man and enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in any sport or activity. If he couldn’t attend, you could bet he was always asking about them! He loved his Boston Terriers and Chihuahua, Bella, who could always be found nuzzled in his lap.

Keith was preceded in death by his father, Aubrey and mother, Irene; one brother, Lowell; former wife, Vonnie; great-grandson, Evan Michael Stanley; great-granddaughter, Avery LaVonne Sterling; and step great-grandson, Teryn Lee LaPointe

Keith is survived by his wife, Alelia Layton; his daughters, Karla Stanley and her children Jeff Stanley and Breanne Sterling (Tyler), Dee Irwin (Stephen) and their children Mandy Irwin (Susie Bachand) and Kimberly Taylor (Ray), and Lori Layton; his son, Mike Layton (Argeri) and their children Alexandria Layton (Ryan Semerad) and Michael Layton; his step-daughters, Becky Rampon (James) and their children Jaime Griffith (Derek), David Rampon, Jordan Rampon, and Jenna DeBautte (Giovanni), Sheri Stanek (Chris) and their children Brenden LaPointe (Kassie), Kevin Stanek, and Cameron Stanek, and Kim Klaassen (Mel) and their children Jessica Walker, Kodi Zechial (Michael), and Morgan Martin; and 21 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Bustards & Jacoby Funeral Home, 600 CY Avenue in Casper, WY on January 25, 2020 at 11:00 am, with a luncheon to follow at Air Innovations Banquet Hall at 5000 CY Avenue.  A private interment will be held at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Central Wyoming Hospice.