Keith B. Grisham With sadness, the family announces the

Keith B. Grisham With sadness, the family announces the passing of Keith B. Grisham, age 89, on April 3, 2025. Although he was born in Evansville, Indiana on March 23, 1936, his family came to Albuquerque a few years later, and he became a long-time resident who saw Albuquerque grow and change over the course of his lifetime. Keith grew up on Major Avenue in the North Valley where as a kid he could roam through the open fields and run up and down the ditch banks. He always considered Major Avenue and the North Valley his true home, and his spirit must be there now. Fascinated by the living creatures of his childhood world, he developed a life-long interest in biology and the world of nature. After graduating from Albuquerque High School in 1954, he went on to earn his BA and MA from the University of New Mexico in the 1960s and then his PhD from Tulane University in 1972. Hoping to instill an understanding and respect for the living world of plants and animals, his career for many years was teaching biology to thousands of students in the Albuquerque Public Schools--first at Jackson Middle School, then Valley High School, and the Del Norte High School for over 25 years, After retiring, he was a volunteer tour guide at the Rio Grande Nature Center. With this position, he returned to the fields and waterways of his childhood, now the nature center. He also loved to garden, and his yard was an amazing collection of plants. He and his wife, Sandra, were also able to travel extensively. Keith led a long and interesting life which he enjoyed immensely. He was a positive person who considered himself lucky to have lived so long and well. He was known for his good looks, kind and gentlemanly manner, and charm. He had an inquiring mind but also liked to work with his hands and could fix and build things. He designed and had built an adobe home with passive solar in the North Valley, when solar was new, and then by himself built an adobe wall around the house. Although a form of dementia dulled his memory in later years, he kept his personality, manners, and analytical mind and was healthy and active (even dancing) until the last few days of his life. In death, Keith preceded by his parents, B.H. and Lucille Grisham, his wife, Sandra Paul, two brothers, Larry Grisham and Dennis Grisham, and a son, Greg Grisham. He is survived by his son, Warren Grisham (Kristina), his grandson, (Kyle Grisham (Inez), two grown step grandchildren Andrea Wilson Aurelia (Chris) and Travis Wilson (Breanna), two step great grandchildren, his brother Roger Grisham (Laura), many nieces and nephews, his step daughter, April Maroney, his first wife, Francelle Letteau Alexander (Robert), and his devoted friend and caregiver, Fenton Richards who offered so much support in Keith's last years. Keith will be missed by all. We thank the staff at the Retreat Gardens for their excellent care during Keith's last six months. A remembrance gathering will be announced at a later time.