Obituary for Keith Sewell
Keith Arthur Sewell passed at home peacefully on August 6, 2022 at the age of 93. Keith was born on February 18, 1929 in Ogden, Utah. He was the oldest son of Arthur James and Kathryn (Katherine) Chambers Sewell. Keith graduated from high school at age 17 where he became famous for passing out the same love letter to several lucky ladies in his class at one time which went well until they all began comparing notes. After graduation he entered the Army in 1946 and was on their basketball team. He enlisted with a group of friends from his high school. Keith had talked his group of friends into signing up to be paratroopers but after enlistment, Keith was told he could not enter the paratroopers since he was only 17. On the bright side, most of his friends eventually forgave him. After serving for two years and reaching the rank of T4 Sergeant, Keith was given a basketball scholarship to play for Weber Junior College. He enjoyed playing basketball and was proud of being awarded NJCAA most valuable player while playing at Weber Junior College. This led to him being given a scholarship to play for Utah State University. Keith graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s degree in History and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
While working for the Clover Club Potato Chip company in Albuquerque, New Mexico he would meet the love of his life, Marthana Hamblin. They were married on July 8, 1966. The couple relocated to Odessa, Texas in 1968 where they were members of the Newcomers Club. In 1971 they would welcome twin daughters Susan and Sandra into the world. Even though Sandra was only in their lives for one day, she was always held in their hearts.
In 1975 Keith made the decision to begin attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It changed his life. He was very proud that as of 2022, he had been sober for over 47 years.
Throughout his life, Keith was always a great salesman. He sold everything from tires to becoming a district manager for Clover Club Potato Chips, and then automobiles with Joe White Lincoln Mercury and Jack Arledge Oldsmobile-Cadillac in Odessa. He eventually opened his own consignment car lot called “For Sale By Owner” with which he had success for many years until his retirement. There was always a sign behind Keith’s desk with one of his favorite sayings “If we have to choose between doing business and being friends, then let’s be friends.”.
Keith and Marthana loved living in Odessa and treasured their house on Springbrook and loved the surrounding neighborhood. Keith loved to watch sports and work in his yard. He was often teased about how meticulously he kept his lawn. Even into his 80’s, Keith might be seen on a ladder in his big oak tree hand trimming branches. A trip to the mailbox might take several hours if he got sidetracked in the yard on the way back. Keith had recently relocated to Glen Rose, Texas to be near his daughter Susan and her husband Jim, and his grandchildren Grace and Weston.
Keith was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Marthana Sewell and by his infant daughter Sandra. He is survived by his daughter Susan Henry and husband Jim , grandchildren Grace and Weston Henry. Daughters Linda Durbano, Becky Fowler, Nan Dantz, and son Mike Cassity.
A family gathering and celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Community Hospice of Cleburne and the Somervell County Senior Center who were both so kind to him during this last season of his life.
While working for the Clover Club Potato Chip company in Albuquerque, New Mexico he would meet the love of his life, Marthana Hamblin. They were married on July 8, 1966. The couple relocated to Odessa, Texas in 1968 where they were members of the Newcomers Club. In 1971 they would welcome twin daughters Susan and Sandra into the world. Even though Sandra was only in their lives for one day, she was always held in their hearts.
In 1975 Keith made the decision to begin attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It changed his life. He was very proud that as of 2022, he had been sober for over 47 years.
Throughout his life, Keith was always a great salesman. He sold everything from tires to becoming a district manager for Clover Club Potato Chips, and then automobiles with Joe White Lincoln Mercury and Jack Arledge Oldsmobile-Cadillac in Odessa. He eventually opened his own consignment car lot called “For Sale By Owner” with which he had success for many years until his retirement. There was always a sign behind Keith’s desk with one of his favorite sayings “If we have to choose between doing business and being friends, then let’s be friends.”.
Keith and Marthana loved living in Odessa and treasured their house on Springbrook and loved the surrounding neighborhood. Keith loved to watch sports and work in his yard. He was often teased about how meticulously he kept his lawn. Even into his 80’s, Keith might be seen on a ladder in his big oak tree hand trimming branches. A trip to the mailbox might take several hours if he got sidetracked in the yard on the way back. Keith had recently relocated to Glen Rose, Texas to be near his daughter Susan and her husband Jim, and his grandchildren Grace and Weston.
Keith was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Marthana Sewell and by his infant daughter Sandra. He is survived by his daughter Susan Henry and husband Jim , grandchildren Grace and Weston Henry. Daughters Linda Durbano, Becky Fowler, Nan Dantz, and son Mike Cassity.
A family gathering and celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to Community Hospice of Cleburne and the Somervell County Senior Center who were both so kind to him during this last season of his life.