Keith Korth

Keith Allen Korth, devoted husband, father, PoPo, and friend, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 55 on June 23, 2023, with his beloved wife and daughters by his side. He was born April 17, 1968 in Houston, Texas, to parents Howard and Judy Korth. He was baptized into Christ in 1968 at Hope Lutheran Church in Houston and confirmed on April 4, 1982 at Grace Lutheran Church in Brenham. During Keith’s childhood he enjoyed playing baseball, fishing, raising his show steers, and roping calves. Keith excelled in baseball making the varsity team his sophomore year. After his sophomore year, he gained the foundation of his work ethic and began working for the family feed store, Franke Feed Store, all while attending high school. Keith was in the Brenham High School graduating class of 1986. He began dating his high school sweetheart, Christi, in 1984 who he happily wed on July 14, 1990. After their union in marriage Keith and Christi went on to have two beautiful daughters Kaylee Nichole and Ashlyn Brooke.

 After graduating from high school, Keith found his passion for the trucking industry and took on his first job at Brenham Wholesale Grocery. After 17 years with Brenham Wholesale, he began working for Jake’s Eggs delivering eggs to all the Sam’s Clubs in the Houston area alongside his over-sized stuffed chicken in his passenger seat. In 2012, his trucking career came to a brief halt when he tragically lost his leg due to contracting a flesh-eating bacteria. After being told he would probably never be able drive a truck again, Keith was determined to prove everyone wrong. In 2014, he started Diamond K Logistics, which he took so much pride and joy in. Through all his years of trucking, there was not a single time that you would find his truck dirty. He babied his truck and kept it in immaculate condition, inside and out.

Keith was also an avid fisherman and enjoyed his many hours out on the water. He fished through the Washington County Bass Club and the Texas CCA. Even after contracting the flesh-eating bacteria while wade fishing, he could not wait to get back out on the water. When asked if he would ever fish again, he would reply, “Of course! Now I know why God made boats!” Keith especially enjoyed his time fishing at Sabine Lake, Calcasieu, Matagorda, Sargent, and Port O’Connor and in the annual Brenham CCA chapter tournaments and the Chasin’ Tail & Seaing Spots tournaments.

Keith shared his love of show cattle to his daughters. As Kaylee and Ashlyn were growing up, you could find him in the show barn helping wash and work heifers. He grew to love the angus cattle industry and traveled all around the state with Kaylee and Ashlyn showing their heifers at county and major shows. He enjoyed volunteering at the Washington County Fair on the Commercial Heifer Committee. He looked forward to raising future show cattle with his grandchildren, Harper and Haygen, who were the light of his life. He would do anything to put a smile on their face, but more importantly, they put a smile on his face.  Keith especially enjoyed taking them out on the ranger to feed cows and taking them on tractor rides. He could not wait to watch Harper and Haygen grow up, now he will be their Guardian Angel forever. 

It was often said by many people that Keith was rarely seen without a smile on his face. Throughout all the many hardships of illness Keith was faced with, he remained positive and possessed his notable sense of humor. He was an extremely giving person to his family and friends and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.

Keith is survived by his wife of 33 years Christi Reynolds Korth; daughters, Kaylee Kettler and husband Ryan of Brenham, and Ashlyn Easley and husband Charlie of Brenham; mother, Judy Rudloff of Brenham; mother-in-law Lynn Reynolds of Brenham; sister and brother-in-law, Kimberly and David Thompson of Brenham; brother, Michael Korth of Katy; sister-in-law, Debra Verzele of Clyde; brother-in-law, Michael Reynolds of Buda; grandchildren, Harper and Haygen Kettler; grandpup, Winston Easley; nieces and nephews, Julien and Justin Verzele, Tristan, Teagan, and Tavan Thompson.

His canine companions were dear to him. JJ, Briggs, DJ, and Remington have stayed behind, but Bo, Sassy, Maggie, and Bear are on a long walk with him now.

Keith was preceded in death by his father, Howard Korth; father-in-law, Whitney Reynolds; stepfather, Jim Rudloff; grandparents, Walter Sr. and Cora Korth and Erwin and Velma Franke; brother-in-law, Max Verzele; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Serving as pallbearers are Preston Boenker, David Korth, James Korth, Kenneth Ladewig, Darrell Murski, Randy Parkison, Ronald Reimer, Michael Reynolds, Jonathan Schramm, David Thompson, and Ricky Wellbrock.

Honorary pallbearers are Julien Verzele, Justin Verzele, Teagan Thompson, Tavan Thompson, owners/employees of Waller County Asphalt, and friends from Chasin’ Tail & Seaing Spots Fishing Tournament.

Visitation will be Monday, June 26, 2023, from 5:00-7:00pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Services will be held at Salem Lutheran Church on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 10:00am with burial to follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery.

The family would like to give many thanks to the doctors and healthcare team involved in Keith’s care – Dr. Pandya, Dr. Yu, and infusion nurse Debbie with Oncology Consultants of Houston and Charli, Brandi, Shavan, and Jasmine with Acara Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Acara Hospice, 601 Graham Road, College Station, Texas 77845; Salem Lutheran Church, 1500 Salem Road, Brenham, Texas 77833; Brenham Anglers, 805 Happy Hollow Road, Brenham, Texas 77833.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.