Cloudy, 26° F
(April 24, 1914 - March 26, 2015)
Blaine Elwin Keever, 100, of Cody died at his home on March 26, 2015, just shy of his 101st birthday.
Blaine was born to Ora and Hazel (Masters) Keever on April 24, 1914, in Skidmore, Mo.
In 1935, Blaine decided to head west and hitchhiked from Missouri to Wyoming at the young age of 21. He had heard from a friend of the beauty of Wyoming and decided to see for himself.
He worked for several ranches in the area and was eventually hired by the city of Cody where he worked for more than 30 years.
Blaine met the love of his life Nellie Thayer in Cody, and they were married June 2, 1936, in Red Lodge, Mont. They had to elope because in Wyoming you had to be 21 to get married and Nellie was only 19 at that time. Both of them endured many hardships at the beginning of their lives together, but stood together until Nellie’s death in 2002.
Blaine and Nellie were avid bowlers and bowled for many years on leagues. Both of their names are on the Bowling Hall of Fame plaques hanging in the Super Bowl here in Cody.
Blaine enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his horse (the second love of his life) captured from the wild horse herd in the Pryors and tamed by Blaine himself. He enjoyed all of these activities with families in Cody and those who came to visit from other areas. His love of life was as large as his heart.
Blaine was preceded in death by his wife Nellie (Thayer) Keever, parents Ora and Hazel Keever, brothers and their spouses Vernon (Helen) Keever, Shelby (Emilee) Keever and nephew Dale Keever.
Though never blessed with children of his own, he is survived by numerous nephews and nieces who loved him dearly and will always remember him.
Services will be held at Ballard Funeral Home on Friday, April 3, at 11 a.m.; visitation will be from 10–11 a.m. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Cody.
