Keith Wendel "Red" Ladd was born October 28, 1940, to Walter Warren Ladd and Nora Melhuish Ladd in Shattuck Oklahoma, and passed from this life peacefully on October 15, 2022, surrounded by his family. At the age of only 2 years old he moved with his parents to the Ralston place, just five miles west of Camargo where he would spend the rest of his life. After a stressful adjustment following the tragic loss of his father in 1947, he and his mother moved to the Richmond area in the fall of 1948. In 1950 he and his mom moved back to the farm west of Camargo and began building a new home. In 1951, they decided to begin farming the place by themselves. Times were very hard, and the winters were rough, but they made it somehow. In 1955, Nora married Clyde Coursey. Keith worked various jobs bucking hay bales, chopping lots of cotton, and worked on a Case Hay baler for Irvin Hughes and Emery Fairchild in the summer of 1954-1956. In 1957, Keith went on his first wheat harvest with Don Haskett traveling from Seymore, Texas to Hemingford, Nebraska.

Keith proudly graduated with the class of 1958 from Camargo High School. He then went on to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University only to discover that Charles Darwin was not a part of his Camargo education, and that maybe he should have paid more attention in English, Math, History and Science. In the summer of 1959, he went to work for Elliot Brothers Road Construction for $1.25/hour. In the Spring of 1960, he went on to OSU Okmulgee to study Diesel Mechanics, which he completed a semester early with no D's or F's. He accepted a truck driving job offer from Western Company just west of Woodward. It was the worst job he had ever had because he didn't like the way they treated people.

In Sept 1961, Keith joined the Army National Guard where he served until November 1968. During his military career he was very active with the National Guard Rifle and Pistol Shooting Teams, winning many trophies and championships all over the nation.

On October 18, 1969, Keith married the love of his life, Marquita Faye White at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Woodward, Oklahoma. To this union two daughters were born, Karla Rae in 1970, and Marcia Lynn in 1972. Keith was very proud of his daughters. Being the thrifty farmer he was, he began training free labor at an early age. His girls were taught to drive tractors, back trailers, turn wrenches, and work cattle at very young ages. Through these teachings they learned the value of a dollar, a strong work ethic, and the love and respect for agriculture. He made sure they studied hard and made good grades, holding them to very high standards no matter what they did. He insisted on their attendance to college, because just like his mom, he wanted them to have a better life than he did. He always told the girls they needed to learn to work like men and yet act like ladies. He followed the girls to all their activities, and never ever missed a ball game.

Being active in the community was important to Keith and Marquita both. They entertained for years in their home what they called "the Card Party Bunch", serving as hosts for a large group of Pitch playing community members. Keith spent many hours researching and working to establish what is now the South Canadian Neighbors Community Building and was very proud to see it completed.

Keith did enjoy a good vacation once in a while. He took his family on annual trips to the Colorado mountains as long as the girls were home. Once the girls were out on their own, Keith and Marquita enjoyed trips to Alaska, Branson, Missouri, Germany, and other short trips. Family reunions were very important, and they rarely missed an opportunity to attend them.

Hobbies were allowed once the work was completed. While Keith spent a good amount of his younger years hunting quail, working a good dog, and shooting deer, he also enjoyed playing guitar and singing in his later years. Keith could be frequently found jamming with the band at Leroy's shop or striking up a tune with Marcia and the grandkids during the holidays. Keith's most favorite things were of course his wife, kids, and grandkids, a fresh calf hitting the ground, a good long rain shower, the smell of fresh tilled soil and wheat dust, and the sound of a smooth-running motor.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Stepfather, half siblings, Zoma Hartsough, Loyd Ladd, Donald Ladd, Murl Ladd, Pauline (Ladd) Paul, Russell Ladd, Kenneth Ladd, and Dean Ladd, Mother and Father-in-Law, Jack and Mary White, Sister-in-Law Marlene (White) Whitson and husband Chuck.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Marquita of the home, daughter Karla and husband David Stone of Fargo, daughter Marcia and husband Justin Barr of Harmon, grandchildren, Patricia (Steadman) Spencer and husband David of Colorado Springs, Co, Ashley Steadman of Alva, Austin Stone and wife Katie of Mooreland, Levi Stone of Fargo, Dawson Barr of Harmon, and Jacee Barr of Friona, Texas. Great Grandchildren, Nash Stone, Dean Spencer, Walker & Eleanor Stone, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Memorials may be made to the:

Camargo Fire Department

C/O Shaw Funeral Home

P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859.