Keith died from pancreatic cancer

Keith Brooks Holtzclaw

Keith Brooks Holtzclaw, age 72, passed away peacefully in his Pueblitos, NM home on March 11, 2022 after succumbing to pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Greenville, South Carolina on May 25, 1949. Growing up in the Smoky Mountains, he was an active member of 4-H, winning Grand Champion at the state fair for his cow, and a pig named Sally, that he rode around on. He also had a pet goat that rode around in his car with him.

At a time when racial tensions and discrimination defined the deep south, young Keith grew up with an open heart and oblivious to differences in water fountains or playmates.

Keith enlisted in the Air Force and moved to New Mexico in 1968. He was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. He served as an airplane mechanic until retiring as a Sergeant in November 1970. He continued his education, being among the first graduating class when the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital established the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Program in 1976. There he found his passion for preemies and made it his career.

He contributed to drug research; made many trips with the Lifeguard Air Emergency Services, helped develop protocols to prevent sepsis; and taught, trained, and mentored Neonatal Nurse Practitioners. In 2007 when a stroke weakened his left side, he felt he could no longer safely hold a tiny baby in his hand, so he retired to his little farm to enjoy many dogs, cats, chickens, goats, llamas, alpacas, and other randomly adopted pets.

Throughout his life, he actively pursued spiritual growth. As with everything in his life, he welcomed and respected all - from his Baptist church roots of home, to his vision quest in Alaska, joining Native American sweat lodges, completing Bethel Bible Training, to enjoying Tibetan prayer flags in his home.

A member of NMGRA charity rodeo, he served as secretary, treasurer, and president over the years and was Grand Marshall of the 2016 Zia Regional Rodeo.

Keith lived as warm and vibrant as the color in his red beard. People gravitated to his gentle nature, fascinating stories, and sage advice. There was always good conversation around Keith.