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Obituary

Keith E. Cable

ST. IGNATIUS – Keith Erwin Cable, 79, passed away at his Post Creek family home on Saturday, July 23. Keith was born Jan. 15, 1932 in Pendleton, Ore. to Clark and Mable Depew Cable. Keith’s love of ranching was inherited from his grandparents who were Eastern Oregon pioneers that ranched and mined gold in Granite County, Ore. Cable Creek and Cable Butte are named after them. In his early years he loved to hunt and fish with his brother and cousins; they always seemed to know where the big bucks were hiding.

Keith’s strong work ethic was learned early in life, working full time as a ranch hand at 12 years old. By 16 he was a combine crew foreman. After graduating from Helix, Ore. high school Keith managed the Brogoitti Elevator Company where he won numerous sales awards. Keith’s love of learning and sports led him to Linfield College on a basketball scholarship, later transferring to Oregon Stat. He earned a degree in Forestry, and later received a teaching degree from Eastern Oregon College at LaGrand.

Keith married Bonnie Cameron of Hermiston, Ore., who has been his loving wife for 57 years and constant supporter and helpmate. They have two children, Pat and Valerie. Keith’s dream of owning a ranch came true when he moved his family to Post Creek where he raised Angus cattle on the Many Waters Ranch. The family worked hard to build Keith’s dream ranch. Keith and Bonnie often fed cattle in the dark before or after completing their outside jobs. Their children, Pat and Valerie, learned early how to run a rake, change pipe and stack hay. He tended his cattle herd with skill and caring, knowing many cows by the name he had given them, Ole Blue Eye or Crumpled Horn. One of his favorite pastimes was to attend the S.W. Angus Association and Velkamp Bull auction in Butte. He would pour over the bulls' statistics, carefully selecting the perfect bulls to build his respected herd. Keith loved to drive through the cattle, continually monitoring their condition and making adjustments to produce the best results. Shipping day was a culmination of a long year’s work and a source of pride and satisfaction for Keith.

While running the ranch Keith was also a teacher and school superintendent at Dixon for many years. Keith’s concern and passion for his students was evident. More than once he had to battle the “system” to do what was right for his students. Keith coached basketball in Dixon and enjoyed taking on the bigger schools and beating them with his small town kids.

Keith was a history buff and enjoyed talking cattle and politics and reminiscing about the old days. His ranch, family friends and trusted dog Jocko were very important to him. His remains will be spread on the land he loved in a private family ceremony on Post Creek.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan are assisting the family with arrangements.

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