Keith Edwin Culley, 65 , passed away on 10 August 2019 at his home in Fishers, IN, surrounded by love. He was born on January 16, 1954, in Springfield, OH, to the late Alfred Richard “Hank” and Marjorie (Riley) Culley.
Keith grew up in Springfield, OH, and he graduated from Northwestern High School, class of 1972. He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati and a Masters in Athletic Administration from the University of Dayton. He put these degrees to work as a teacher and a basketball coach. Keith won many championships as head coach and earned many awards for coach of the year along the way. He was teacher of the year in many of his students’ hearts as well.
After retirement, Keith continued to volunteer as an assistant coach at his high school and rekindled his love of art by creating and selling wonderfully unique stainless steel jewelry. After meeting Connie Sue, he began to incorporate her colorful glasswork creations into his stainless steel, and together they created beautiful, new designs. Connie Sue brought color to Keith Edwin’s jewelry, and Keith Edwin brought color to Connie Sue’s life. He will continue to do so in her heart as well as her sons’, family, friends, and anyone who knew him well.
Keith is survived by his fiancée, Connie Sue Powers and her sons; mother Marjorie Culley; brother Alan (Judy) Culley; sisters Darlene (Steve) Luke and Lisa Nance; nieces; nephews; and other relatives. Keith was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Richard “Hank” Culley and his brother-in-law, Thomas Nance.
Both a private and public celebration of Keith’s beautiful life will be held at a future date and time yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, Keith wanted donations to be made to the IU Simon Cancer Center with a directive for application to glioblastoma research. Memorial gifts should include “In memory of Keith Edwin Culley” in notation and may be made payable to the IU Foundation/Glioblastoma research, and mailed to : IU Simon Cancer Center, C/O IU Foundation, PO Box 7072, Indianapolis, IN. 46207.
or
The Keith Culley Memorial Scholarship Fund. This is an endowed scholarship, being given to a graduating senior from Northwestern Local Schools. Memorial gifts may be sent to The Springfield Foundation, C/O Keith Culley Memorial Scholarship Fund, 333 N Limestone Suite 201, Springfield OH 45503
bonnie says
Keith was the epitome of selflessness. Never about him; always others. I will never meet a kinder, gentler spirit with an unending positive attitude toward life. This is no doubt a reflection of his loving family and the relentless love bestowed on him by his dear mother Marge.
Shannon Howell says
Coach was a good man. He never took the game he loved more serious than the relationships he developed on and off the court. He will be missed.
Frank Kieffer says
Connie, our deepest condolences to you and the family. Keith was a wonderful man and will be saddly missed by all who knew him.
Tony Taylor says
Keith was a close friend of mine for about 15 years. We went our separate ways when he had to reinvent himself after his divorce. While he was a coach and me a re, we became friends. He helped me get to be a tournament level official. We we tennis doubles partners for several years and had a great time. He really was a kind spirit and was one of the most selfless servants I have ever known. I miss him already. May God put him in a special place in heaven.
Mark Wiseman says
I will always remember the smile and the way he lived life. Keith was always looking at the bright side of things, whatever the situation might be. I will never forget the absolute fun times we enjoyed going back over 40 years, Keith knew how to have fun! He was a good dude and will be missed. Rest in peace Lulley Boy – my friend
Todd Stelzer says
There are people who could brighten up a room just by stepping in it, Kieth was that , funny, charming and a dear friend. He went above beyond in helping my family and I’ll always have a place in my heart for him. RIP to a great human.
Nicky Walters says
Mr. Culley was my OWE teacher at stebbins high school in riverside ohio in 2000.. He was an amazing man and treated everyone with kindness and understanding. I came to him as a scared and pregnant 16 yr old and he helped me threw a hard time and made sure I was okay. I am forever grateful for his kindness! RIP Mr. Culley
Pamela Reid says
He was one of my very best friends in High School. A wonderful person. Kind hearted and generous. Always ready for fun. Love you my dear friend. Pam-O
Jill Hartman says
As a coworker of Keith’s and an art teacher, I loved when Keith would share his art with me. We didn’t have a lot of time in our school day to talk but we often chatted during morning duty about what he was working on. I remember him to be kind and warm.
Tim Miller says
I was Keith’s assistant basketball coach at Troy High School and loved his passion and compassion for players and students he came in contact with. He was a great fiend! I will miss his smile and great laughter, because he was always so upbeat. Tim Miller
Lynette Brown says
Culley Family,
So sorry to see this loss. I remember his contagious smile during my years at Northwestern. Your family is in my prayers.
Lynette (Flack) Brown
Pamela Reid says
To the students at Stebbins High School. The last time I spoke with Keith he told me that his time at Stebbins was one of his best teaching positions. He said,” The students at Stebbins treated me with the greatest respect, and I loved them all.” Thank you Stebbins Students for loving my friend.
Roxanne Vandivier Gross says
Mr. Culley’s Family:
I am so very sorry for your loss. I had Mr. Culley in 7th grade for an art teacher! What a funny guy he was! I loved his class and will never forget some of the fun times and funny things that he used to say! He later taught my daughter in high school and was the same kind man I knew years before that! You will be missed, Mr. Culley!! I hope you Rest In Peace….
jerrold collins says
Keith was a very nice person and well liked by everyone. Fellow 1972 graduate classmate. I remember most as a teammate of his on Northwestern Jr. High track teams. Keith was a team member on the track team when we broke the county record for the shuttle hurdle relay. Keith was one of the members on our four man relay team competing. He was a very competitive teammate who also competed in the 100 yard hurdles too. Great guy! He will be truly missed by all.
Wayne K. Wiseman says
My dear friend Keith, I will always have you in my heart and mind. Moving through life together, we shared so much in good and challenging times. I remember them all. Our emotional and intellectual bond was a constant throughout life’s changes, the promising and chaotic. Your kind and thoughtful presence will always be with me. To all who shared life with Keith, cherish and celebrate what he gave. We are better for knowing him.
Tim Hoberty says
Was shocked to see this sad news. When he was my JV basketball coach, we called him “Cool Breeze” as a nickname. Don’t know where it came from, but it seemed to fit. He was a good teacher of character as well a basketball. A good role model he was. Sad to see this news.
Lucinda Peck says
Dear Culley Family,
So sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. May you all be blessed and comforted by memories of Keith and family times together. May God give you peace!
Deanna Soldner says
To the Culley family, I am so very sorry for your loss! Keith was such a great guy & my son Jeff’s basketball coach! He was always so respectful to our family. Years later he was still the BB coach when our daughter Susan was a cheer leader. He always made sure the kids were taken care of! Marge, I am especially sorry for your loss, it’s so hard to lose a child. Our Susan has been gone almost two years now! God has some very special angels. Thinking of you all.
PJ Marshall says
I met Keith when he adopted his greyhound Gator. I was gators foster mom and I babysat him when Keith traveled. We had many conversations about the many quirks of hounds. I was honored that he asked me to care for gator when he started his journey last fall. He said if I had gator he wouldn’t have to worry about him. We stayed in touch, and I kept them both in my prayers. Connie sue is one of the bravest people I have ever met. I will remember Keith as one of the kindest men I ever knew, a great friend, and he will be missed for a long time. My sympathies to his family and especially Connie Sue.
Douglas "Doug" Miller says
Keith & I have known one another since we were teenagers when our families attended the same church. As happens with most high school friends; upon graduation, we journeyed our separate ways. It was until years later (20+) that we reconnected – he as a BK coach at Northwestern & Troy high schools & me as a BK official. In the many games where we interacted, he was always considerate & respectful – for which I had tremendous admiration. I feel extremely fortunate to have known & associated with him for these many years.
Kara Long Grimes says
Mr. Culley was an amazing teacher and mentor. I would not be who I am today without his guidance and his belief in me. He helped me realize what I was capable of and made me chase my dreams. He will never be forgotten. Prayers for his family and loved ones. I am so sorry for your loss.
Susan Thomson says
Keith was always so friendly and positive. His kind, gentle nature will be missed by all who knew him. What a sweet soul! May he rest in peace. With my most sincere sympathy to all for this sad loss.
Ron Rychener says
My wife and my three daughters all have pieces of Keith’s beautiful jewelry. Each time I see them wearing it , I will recall fondly this kind, gentle man. What a great legacy.
BrentHawes says
It was fun to have you’re teaching interaction. Thank you!
Trent McCracken says
Coach, you will be missed. I remember how you kept things simple… if we were running a play on the left side, the name was proceeded with “L”ouie. If we were going up the right side, it was “R”alph. All these years later I still use the saying you ingrained in me back in high school ball. “Trent, be quick, but don’t be in a hurry”. I have some great memories of our time together. Rest in peace, my friend.
Mike Stevens says
Culley family, so sorry for your loss. Keith was a great person and good friend. We had some really fun times together that I will never forget. Rest in peace old friend.
Jerry and Pat Casdorph says
To the Culley family and Connie Sue, so very sorry to just hear this, he was a kind and caring neighbor, always asking about my husband and how he was doing and taking time to help us out with mowing the grass. It was extremely appreciated. He was a good neighbor and person and will be sadly missed. Our hearts go out to your family in this time of sorrow. May God speed and heal each and every one of you and Connie Sue, treasure the memories that you have made while on the journey of life.