Keith Bayne, former third basemen for the Las Vegas Hitmen fast-pitch softball team and described by one of his brothers as "a great father," died Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003. He was 45. Keith, a lifetime resident of Las Vegas, was born Sept. 2, 1958 at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital, which is now University Medical Center. He graduated from Western High School, where he was a three-year letterman in football, soccer and baseball, and attended Dixie Junior College in St. George, Utah before becoming a successful paint salesman for 20 years. He worked the last six years for Frazee Paint in Las Vegas. From 1982 to 1996, Keith starred for the Hitmen, and "was one of the best third basemen in the country, and an excellent hitter" according to his brother Kenny, a local high school and college umpire. "But more than that, he was a great father." His pastor, Kevin Odor of Canyon Ridge Christian Church, said of Keith, "The tragedy is he was making the changes for a great future and he didn't get to live it out. But he was definitely heading in that direction, to be a better man, husband and father. The fruit of repentance was being seen in his life. His best days were still ahead of him." Keith is survived by his mother and father, Barbara and J.K. Bayne; his wife, Robin; his four children, Sterling, Keaton, Hunter and Harrison (Pooper); three brothers, Steve and his wife Mary of Tonopah, Bruce and his wife Laurie of Las Vegas and Kenny and his wife Donna of Las Vegas; six aunts and uncles; and eleven nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. at Canyon Ridge Christian Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, followed by a graveside service at Bunker's Memory Gardens, 7251 W. Lone Mountain Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the K.E. Bayne Children's Trust to support his four children. For more information, please call Kenny at 521-8955.

Published on December 3, 2003 - Las Vegas Review Journal