Keith B. Carlyon lived 78 incredible years. He had many passions throughout his life and was a man of numerous talents and interests. Keith was many things to so many people; He was an educator, a sailor, a rock and mineral collector, a financial advisor, a guitar player and lounge act singer. He loved nature, hiking, fishing and enjoying Lake Michigan beaches. He loved traveling, often centered around experiencing nature with his wife Susan and their dogs. Everyone that knew Keith knew of his generosity and selflessness. If you needed something or had a problem, he was going to find a way to solve it. Not tomorrow, not next week, but right now! If it needed to happen, it was just done, nothing ever expected back in return. He had an outsized personality and could always own a room with his knowledge, boisterous laugh and well-placed blue language.
None of these individual accomplishments and interests defined him more than his family. After marrying Susan in 1998, he inherited a larger immediate family. He loved his step-daughter, Karyn (Jim) Stoops and step-son Robert (Tami) Jamieson as if they were his own children. His three grandsons, Caden and Cameron Stoops and Axel Jamieson brought him endless joy as his family and legacy continued to expand. Keith's family always included a rotating cast of standard and miniature poodles, known collectively as 'the boyz'. Some of them were rescued by Keith from terrible situations, and all were front and center of his daily life and activity. They took annual trips with them to Canada, Donegal Bay on Beaver Island and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, basically everywhere the boyz were allowed and sometimes places they weren't!
Keith Carlyon was born August, 13, 1944 in Negaunee, MI to Domenica (nee) Torreano and Edward Carlyon. In addition to his wife, step-children and grandchildren he is also survived by his brother Stan Carlyon of Kenosha, WI, and sister-in-law Edith Carlyon of Cheyenne, Wy, brother-in-law Bob (Carol) Chipman Topeka, KS, many nieces and nephews and of course his 3 boyz, Louie, Maximillion, and Jazz. Keith was predeceased by his parents, brothers Robert Carlyon and Neil Carlyon, sister-in-law Maureen Carlyon, and mother-in-law Patricia Chipman and father-in-law Bob Chipman.
The family will be celebrating his remarkable life at a private ceremony later this year. Contributions in his honor would be appreciated to the Cherryland Humane Society, Leelanau Conservancy or Hospice of Michigan.