Beau, my 2nd cousin, is is the son of Christine Alice Carr Keeter who is the daughter of Norma Madeline Cappiello Carr who is the sister of my grandfather Joseph Lawrence Cappiello.
Beau Keeter • May 11, 1996 – September 23, 2015
Beau James Keeter, 19, of St. Lawrence, South Dakota went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota
Celebration of Beau’s Life was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Miller Armory with Rev. Matt Richards officiating with a meal to follow at the Miller Community Center. Burial was held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, at Beulah Cemetery, rural St. Lawrence. Visitation began at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 29, 2015 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the First Methodist Church, Miller.
Beau James Keeter was born on May 11, 1996 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Jim and Christine (Carr) Keeter. His sister Annie Cappiello Keeter joined the family on March 5, 1999 to make their family complete. Beau grew up on the family farm outside of St. Lawrence and attended Miller schools all 13 years of his education. Beau proudly graduated as a Miller Rustler in May of 2015 with honors. Beau was a member of Miller First United Methodist Church his entire life and was confirmed in his faith in 2010.
Beau had just begun his college career at Dakota Wesleyan University, pursuing a degree in Athletic Training. He received the Bishop Leadership Award for his leadership potential and his commitment to serving others; as well as an Academic & Athletic Scholarship and a United Methodist Scholarship.
Beau grew up helping his dad on the farm and grew to work alongside him as a hard-working young man. Beau spent many summers “laying fabric” with his sister, father, cousins and grandfather. This provided him with the spending money to build his basketball, sock, shoes and song collections throughout the years.
Beau was an awesome big brother to Annie and he loved her as much as any brother could. The two played, worked, and got into mischief together as soon as Annie was old enough to walk. His sister Annie was his lifelong best friend.
Beau loved his mother immensely and they were very close. He knew he could talk to her about anything and Chrissy was his greatest fan on every athletic and academic “sideline!” Beau’s second greatest fan was his grandmother, Norma Carr, who seldom missed a game and never missed the opportunity to encourage him to follow his dreams.
As Beau grew taller and taller his athletic ability grew as well and he became an amazing basketball player. Of course working on a farm requires a great amount of time and Beau’s dad Jimmy soon realized that basketball was a very important part of Beau’s life, so he gave him the gift of time to follow his passion for basketball. This passion blossomed Beau into the player he was and he played varsity basketball for three years for the Miller Rustlers, scoring over 1,000 points during this 3-year career. He loved everything about being a Miller Rustler basketball player. In August of 2015 Beau joined the Dakota Wesleyan Tiger Basketball team and was excited to participate in a college basketball program and was recently selected for the varsity basketball practice squad.
But as amazing of a basketball player he was, it is not basketball that he will be remembered for. It was Beau’s smile each time he entered a room that he will be remembered for. That smile was there because he was happy with who he was and where he was from and content in his faith in God. He was friendly with everyone he met and always saw the best in anyone he encountered. This happiness resonated from him and touched the lives of many, many people. Beau James Keeter, you will be missed by every one of those lives you touched.
Beau is survived by his parents Jim and Christine Keeter, his sister Annie, grandparents Norma Carr and James Keeter; aunts and uncles including Deb Carr, John & Michelle Carr, Wayne & Kathy Carr, Joe & Lisa Carr, Chad & Laura Cooney, Julie Keeter, Bob & Della Stallard; cousins including Josh, Bridget, Noah and Avery Carr, Hans Nelson, Nikki Carr, Bjorn & Devon Nelson, Taylor, Brooke and Finley Carr, Luke Carr, Caleb Carr, Will Carr, Peyton Carr, Sam Carr, Sarah Carr, Isaac Carr, Chloe Carr, Austin & Stephanie Stallard, Emily Stallard, Ethan Stallard, Cole Stallard, and Savanah Cooney.
Beau is preceded in death by his grandfather, Wayne Carr and grandmother, Dawn Keeter.
We would like to thank the administration, faculty, and students of Dakota Wesleyan University for their love and support during this difficult time. In the short amount of time that Beau attended your school, he truly felt a part of the Tiger Family. Beau loved his time at DWU!
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in memory of Beau Keeter.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Beau’s arrangement.
Please add your memories of Beau below in the comments. If you’d like to submit a photo to add to Beau’s slideshow, please contact me HERE.
