Keith Colson

Keith Colson, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 26, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Cecil Colson and Opal Walker Colson and brother Dean Colson. He is survived by

his sister Sally Curtis.

Keith is also survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Evelyn, son Louie Keith Colson (Stacey) of Tucson AZ, daughters Sally

Johnson (George) of Alpine TX, Martha Akers (James) of Dripping Springs TX and Mary Jones (Steve) of Vernon TX. He is

beloved by 13 grandchildren; Jami (Cody), Marti (Anthony), Shane (Julie), Jessi, Travis, Stephanie (Shane), Melissa,

Colson, Matthew, Molly, Lillian, Maggie, Max and 4 great grandchildren; William, Chas, Cass and Beau and a new one, on

the way, in October. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Keith was born on September 18, 1934, in Ringling, Oklahoma. He graduated from Ringling High School, in 1952, after

excelling in basketball, football and baseball. He was also a three-time Golden Gloves Boxer in 1948, 1949 and 1950

(much to his mother's dismay).

Keith was recruited by Presley Askew, to play basketball, at Connors State College, in Warner Oklahoma, where he

graduated in 1954.

After junior college, Keith came to NMSU and was a two-year letterman for the Aggie Basketball team from 1954-56

under Presley Askew, and was a starting guard on the 1955-56 team that was 15-7 and posted upset wins over New

Mexico, Tennessee, Arizona, Arizona State and Texas Tech.

Keith received a bachelor's degree in education from NMSU in 1956. He then returned to his native Ringling OK, where

he coached football and basketball at the local high school for one year. From 1957-64 he worked in the Las Cruces

school system, first as a teacher/coach at Court Jr. High (1957-60) and then as junior varsity basketball coach at Las

Cruces High School (1960-64). While at LCHS he completed work on his Master of Arts in teaching degree at New

Mexico State.

In 1964 he joined his former Aggie teammate Lou Henson, as assistant basketball coach and head track coach, at Hardin

Simmons University. He soon returned to Las Cruces in 1965 to become the first head basketball coach at Mayfield High

School. He stayed there until rejoining Henson at NMSU, in 1968, as assistant basketball coach and assistant Athletic

Director. They had much success when they led the 1969-70 Aggies to the Final Four. When Lou Henson left for

University of Illinois in 1975, Keith was named director of Athletics until he retired in 1986. During his 11 years as

athletic director, he oversaw NMSU's transformation from a small, independent athletic program into a member of a

major conference, the Big West. He was responsible for the greatest growth of athletic facilities in school history. He

spearheaded the construction of Aggie Memorial Stadium, the Presley Askew Baseball and Softball complex, and new

facilities for tennis and track. Aggie and Roadrunner teams won nine conference championships during his tenure and

attendance records were established in both football and basketball.

In addition to his work on the prestigious Football Television Committee, Keith also served on the NCAA's Junior College

Relations Committee and the Post-Graduate Scholarship Committee. Keith is also in the NMSU Hall of Fame as of 1997.

Needless to say, Keith's family has always been extremely proud of him. In addition to spending time with his family,

Keith enjoyed spending time with his loyal canine companion, Aggie.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 15, 2023 Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las

Cruces, NM 88001.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Keith's name to Casa de Peregrinos (Mission to end

hunger), 999 W. Amador Ave., LC NM 88005 or Dona Ana County Humane Society, 424 N. Main St., Suite 800, LC NM

88001.

Service Details.
Service When
Saturday, April 15, 2023 10:00am
Location
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
Address
1410 E. Bowman Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88001