Keith Denio

DENIO, KEITH EUGENE- A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, April 20, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, for Keith Eugene DeNio, age 85 of Roswell, NM, who passed away Friday, April 13, 2018. Pastor Tina Cross will officiate.

Keith Eugene DeNio was born September 15, 1932 in Navarre, Kansas, to Homer Eugene DeNio and Alma Ruth (Hoffman) DeNio.

The family moved to Abilene, Kansas in 1936, Keith went to the fifth grade and the family moved to Lawrence, Kansas where Keith graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1950. During a brief enrollment at University of Kansas, Keith joined the Naval Air Reserve at Olathe Kansas. In 1950, Keith moved to live with his father in Los Angeles, California and worked for Douglas Aircraft in internal transportation. Keith joined the US Air Force in 1952, and was stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. He met and married Marian Louise (McCallum) on October 18th, 1952. Their first son, Steven, was born at Mountian Home AFB in 1954. Keith was stationed at Johnston Island and returned to the states in 1956 and was discharged, as a Sargeant, and moved to Albuquerque, NM, where Keith was employed by Galles-Groesbeeck Chevrolet in sales, later working for Imported Motors as a Truck and Used Car manager.

While at Galles, a second son, Shawn was born in 1957. Keith took employment as General Manager with Continental Imports in Roswell, NM in October 1959. In May 1961, Keith teamed up with his ex-boss, Jack Martin, from Galles and they bought Lowery Auto Co. (Chrysler-Plymouth-International) The new company was named, Martin-DeNio Motors Inc. in 1962, they bought out Elton Ellis Rambler, and built a new facility for the Rambler store, which was known as Western Rambler. In 1963, Keith and Jack traded stock, and Keith changed the name of the Chrysler store to DeNio Chrysler-Plymouth Inc.

While a dealer with Chrysler, Keith was elected to the board of directors of Chrysler-Plymouth advertising Corp., and was a director for 10 years. During this same period, Keith was elected as a member of the Dealer Council and served for several years. Keith was selected for the Distinguished Dealer award for 12 years and later earned the Dealer Award of Excellence. Keith was a Director on the original Roswell Boys Club, a member of Kiwanas club and later the Roswell Sertoma club. Keith was elected for one year as New Mexico Auto Dealers Asso. Sec.Treasure. He was also a member of the National Auto Dealers Asso.

Keith was a Life Member of the BPOE, Elks Club, and a member of the First United Methodist Church.

In 1970, Keith and Jack Martin teamed up again And bought the franchise for OrigEquip, Auto Vinyl Roof coverings for the states of Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. Opening stores in Murray and Salt Lake, Utah, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and Roswell.

In 1981, Keith closed the Chrysler dealership, and temporarily retired.

In 1982, a good friend and ex-coworker, Jim Kee asked Keith to assist him in management of the newly purchased, Jim Kee Nissan dealership. Keith agreed to help him get started, and ended up staying for 3 years. After this, Keith joined up with another old friend and ex-coworker, Nolen Spencer, at Westside Motors, and they operated together until 1990.

In 1991, Steve, Keith's oldest son having been in the Dry Cleaning business, wanted to expand, and asked his Dad if he wanted to get active again, and together, they bought Four Seasons Cleaners, which they named DeNio Cleaners Inc, with three locations, in Roswell.

Keith was active in the administration of the business, with Steve running the show. In 1995, Marian was diagnosed with Lukemia, and Keith retired to spend his time with her needs. Marian passed away in 1996.

Keith later married Jane Ray, widow of Dr. Harold Ray. Together Keith and Jane continued their love of travel by RV-ing, eating, laughing and loving their way across the country!

Preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Marian DeNio; second wife, Jane DeNio; son, Steve DeNio; grandson, Jason DeNio.

Those left to cherish his memory, son, Shawn DeNio, and his wife, Anita; daughter-in-law, Connie DeNio; grandson, Dustin DeNio and his wife, Maureen; granddaughter, Heather DeNio; grandson, Derin DeNio; granddaughter, Kryste and husband, Paul Mattox.

Also Jane's children, Gene Ray and wife, Shirley; Billy Ray and wife, Debbie; Becky Bohnhoff and husband, Herman; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, who had a special place in Keith's heart.

Thank you to a special friend, Sue Hobbs and her family for the love, care and support they provided.

Service

Cemetery