Kelly Keithly (1945-2021)

In memory of Kelly Keithly

Kelly Grant Keithly, who passed away suddenly at age 76 on September 20, 2021, is remembered by the Seed Trade Association of Arizona as an icon and leader in the world vegetable seed industry.

He was a charter member of STAA in 1992 and served on the organization’s original board. He also was a member since 1975 of the California Seed Association and served as president in 1997; was a member and past president of the California State Seed Advisory Board; chaired the American Seed Trade Association in 2008-2009; and was an active member of the International Seed Federation since 1990, where he served on many committees.

In addition, he served on the Alumni Council of the University of Arizona CALS (College of Agriculture and Life Science) from 2001 to 2007, served on the Ag Advisory Committee for Holtville High School, sat on the Ag Advisory Committee for the University of California, Cooperative Extension Meloland Field Station, was a member of the Imperial Valley College Foundation for 25 years and sat on the Board of Trustees of Imperial Valley College for 12 years.
Keithly was born on February 25, 1945, in Fort Collins, and grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he was active in 4-H. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Arizona, then served honorably in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan.

Keithly began his career in agriculture as a salesman for Ferry Morse Seed Company in 1970 before joining Imperial Valley Milling Company in 1975, where he focused on vegetable seed sales. In 1981, he and Walt Williams established Keithly-Williams Seeds, a vegetable seed distribution company that became one of the largest in the world. In the 1980s, he pioneered the advancement of hybrid seeds and what we now know as the standard vegetable seed distribution model in North America.

Keithly remained active in the business as its CEO until his death. He also was active in his church, Christ Lutheran Church of Yuma.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of 56 years; children Kirin (Pat) Cooley, Karla (Jason) Auringer, Ernie (Erica) Keithly, Sue Ann (Jimmy) Harbolt; 13 grandchildren and five great- grandchildren.

He received numerous awards throughout his career, including: STAA Honorary Member in 2015 for contributions to the seed industry; University of Arizona, Alumni Association Distinguished Citizen Award in 2000, UA CALS Professional Achievement Award in 2013 and Alumni Achievement Award in 2009; ASTA Presidents Honorary Member Award in 2012; and first inductee into the Imperial Valley College Hall of Fame in 2004. He and his wife were named Citizen of the Year in Holtville in 1989. The Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition posthumously of Keithly’s contributions to agriculture was presented to his family during the Southwest Ag Summit in February.

Larry Taylor (1943-2021)

In memory of Larry Charles Taylor

The Seed Trade Association of Arizona commemorates Larry Charles Taylor, a pillar of the community and the agriculture industry who died at age 78 on December 26, 2021, at his home in Yuma.
A longtime seedman, he was a founding member of STAA in 1992 and served as the organization’s president in 1996. In 2007, he was recognized as an honorary member, one of three so honored that year. He also was a member of the California Seed Trade Association.

Born on September 12, 1943, in Yuma, he grew up with roots close to agriculture. His father was a ditch rider and foreman for a cattle company. Taylor graduated from Yuma High School in 1962 and Northern Arizona University in 1967. He was an assistant manager with J.C. Penney, then went to work for Northrup King, becoming the Western Regional Vegetable Seed Manager and was recognized three years as the company’s salesman of the year. After nine years in California, he brought his family back to Yuma and worked for H & H Seed Co. until starting his own seed company, Taylor Seed Inc. He later closed his business and worked for Gowan Company and as a part-time agriculture teacher at Arizona Western College until his retirement.

Taylor is remembered as an adventurer, hunter, fisherman, great barbecuer and tireless worker for many charitable organizations, including Caballeros de Yuma, Yuma County Sheriff Posse, Junior Livestock Committee and Babe Ruth. He served as president for White Mountain Range Riders, the Yuma County Fair board and the Hospice of Yuma board in addition to serving as a commissioner and chairman for Arizona Game and Fish.

He was always willing to lend a helping hand, and often would fire up the barbecue grill to feed friends, family and supporters of a worthy cause. His wife reflects that he likely is responsible for introducing the Yuma area to tri tip. All the farmers in the area would bring their big grills and cook up large quantities of the meat for as many as 3,000 to 5,000 people for the annual Hospice Roping Roundup.

That sense of giving of himself and his fondness for cooking great food for a crowd are the legacy he learned from his parents, Charlie and Kathryn Taylor. “He felt it was important to give back,” his wife said. “And I think we imparted that to our children.”

Taylor is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of 57 years; his daughter Shawn (Jerry) Wofford, his son Chris (Tiffany) Taylor, and daughter Lisa (Daniel) Charney; grandchildren Blake and Ross Wofford, Zachary, Morgan and Gage Taylor and Jake, Max and Tess Charney; his sister Patsy (Taylor) McBride; sisters-in-law Susan Taylor and Robin (Michael) Chalmers Purser and many nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Tommy and Danny Taylor.