Looking back on the life and friendship of Grumpy Felts

I was told by many when I was much younger that if you had a handful of friends in your life, you were rich. Those words came from my parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, as well as, “Your word is your bond; no one can take it from you, but if you lose it, it takes a long, long time to regain.”

Well, one of that handful of good friends that I have been blessed to know in my lifetime was Keith “Grumpy” Felts. Grumpy moved to be with his heavenly Father on June 20, 2023, just two short months prior to his 73rd birthday.

My wife, Donna, and I attended his farewell services on June 26 and traveled to his final resting place at Mount Washington Cemetery in Plattsburg. It was a fitting location for Grumpy, away from the main roads into the cemetery and right next to a large, wooded area, where birds and wildlife would be close and possibly even rest on his gravesite.

Pastor Charles East of the Second Baptist Church handled the services at Bailey and Cox Funeral Home and at the gravesite. His words were surely comfort to Grumpy’s family – wife, Mary Ann, and sons Myron, Brandon, and Reggie.

How did I first become acquainted with Keith “Grumpy” Felts? Well, I came to Plattsburg and the Clinton County R-III School District in August of 2000 to teach special education students. My wife, Donna, came to the district in 2001 as a reading and language arts teacher. My first encounter with Grumpy quickly revealed how he got his nickname. I met him at school during a conference for one of his sons. Grumpy and I first were at odds on what should be expected educationally for his son. He was not one to mince words. Unfortunately, neither was I. It was almost like the immovable force met the irresistible object.

However, I stood by my guns and I was able to show Grumpy that my expectations were in the best interest of his child. We soon became not only advo- cates with similar goals, but friends. As time passed, the respect and friendship grew to where I would truly call him one in a handful of true good friends I have or have known.

Grumpy was, in my opinion, a Renaissance Man. Most looked at the man and saw a rough exterior with a very vocal opinion; he was not afraid to tell you what he thought.

However, there was much more to the man. As the saying goes, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” There was so much more to the man than you might first think. Keith was not what some would consider to be “well educated.” He joined the U.S. Army after high school in 1968. He became a steel worker for Armco in Kansas City for 20some years. He and Mary Ann adopted three sons and chose to move to Plattsburg in the early 1990’s. They chose Plattsburg because it was a town with cultural diversity, and they felt comfortable raising their three sons here. Those that knew Grumpy knew that children were very important to him. I would guess you could describe him as a protector first and a provider second.

He raised homing pigeons, gamecocks, finches, meat rabbits, ran a bait and tackle shop, and he was a trapper, fisherman and a hunter. He built animal cages significantly stronger and better than any you could purchase in a retail store (I still have one I use to trap racoons). Grumpy always said he could make a dollar and feed his family regardless of what was going on in the economy.

He was an artisan woodworker, making beautiful furniture, jewelry boxes (of which I have a couple). He also taught his three sons all he knew and as much as they could absorb. They worked beside him in the bait shop and garden. And he was a novelist, writing and self-publishing three novels. For those who read all three, you may have gotten a glimpse of people Grumpy knew in his lifetime. I read two of them, my wife read all three. It was Donna that kept nagging him to finish the first novel and continue writing, as did I.

Grumpy also had a very large heart and wanted to share his knowledge with anyone wishing to ask, especially children. He came to Clinton County Middle School several times and spoke to my wife’s language arts classes about trapping when her students were reading “Where the Red Fern Grows.” He would bring pelts and other items to show to the students. He was able to make the story in the book come alive for her students. He also spoke with her students about writing, saying he would sometimes edit his writing many, many, many times. His vocabulary was exceptional, and he would chew on words or sentences until he got the right flow and rhythm he was looking for. I wish I had his talent and patience for doing that.

Grumpy also served his community by serving for three terms on the Clinton County R-III School Board. He always told me his first concern was to make sure the district did what was in the best interest of the students and the staff. He was a watchdog for the community and the district. We would discuss many issues regarding the district and, for the most part, he voted his conscience.

During his farewell service, several young people spoke about their experiences with Grumpy, as did I and my wife, Donna. But that says something about the man. He touched many, many lives in a very positive way. I don’t put us in that young category because we are not. Keith and I were basically the same age. Maybe that is why we bonded so well. I don’t know.

But I do know that I will miss my conversations with Grumpy, sharing our thoughts on everything from religion to politics. I know you were hurting physically the past few years, Grumpy; your pain is no more. Your race has ended. You ran a good one, and I look forward to talking with you again when my race is done. So long, my friend. Hold a spot for me.