Keith Royce Fortner

Keith Royce Fortner, age 82, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2019 at Kemp Care Center in Kemp, Texas. He was born February 10, 1937, in Brown County Texas, to Loy and Odessa Fortner. He was a 1955 graduate of Levelland High School. In 1960, he graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture. It was here that he was called into the ministry. He graduated with a Master’s degree in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1964. While in seminary, he met and later married Faith Ann Moore at Broadway Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, October 14, 1961.

Over the years he served as pastor in Texas, Arizona, and California. Keith and Faith owned a successful flower shop in Vista, California before moving back to Texas in 1980. After moving to Texas, he became the pastor of First Covenant Church in Irving for 10 years. He also acquired his Texas realtor license and owned/managed numerous rental properties in the Kaufman area. Keith lived out his faith in his every day life.  Family was very important to Keith.  He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed living in the country raising longhorn cattle, was the Kaufman County Republican Chairman for 8 years, served on the Salvation Army Board, and was active in the local prison ministry.

He is survived by his wife, Faith, of almost 58 years, who faithfully partnered with him in his many endeavors; children Tim Fortner, Tony Fortner, and Karen Fortner Schwab; daughters in-law Christy and Melissa Fortner; 9 grandchildren, whose lives will forever reflect the warmth of God’s love: Odessa & Megan Fortner, Hope, Brooke, & Nicole Fortner, Kelly, Kathrine, Nathan, & Julie Schwab; a brother William Fortner MD, a sister Bonita Fortner French, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Keith was proceeded in death by his parents Loy and Odessa Fortner and his brother Kenley Fortner.