Obituary: Gordon E. Keith

VMSD regrets to announce that Gordon E. Keith, owner of Gordon Keith Originals (Columbus, Ohio), passed away Wednesday, Feb. 25. at the age of 91.

Prior to founding Gordon Keith Originals, Keith attended the Columbus Art School (now Columbus College of Art & Design) and honorably served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 1621st Engineer Model-Making Detachment, which made models used to plan military operations in Europe, and was assigned to the 5th Army under Gen. Patton in North Africa and Italy. After the war, he started his first business in Boston, and later moved to Indian Lake, Ohio.

As owner of Columbus, Ohio-based Gordon Keith Originals, Keith created many prominent displays including a talking tree for Lazarus & Co., an elaborate outdoor nativity scene for State Auto Financial Corp. (Columbus), the “Street of Yesteryear” exhibit at the former COSI (Center of Science and Industry) location in Columbus, and a 12-panel screen and voiceover for the American Freedom Train in 1976.

Keith worked on Rep. Chalmers Wylie's television spots and campaign headquarters. He also created more than 6000 original paintings and contributed paintings to Columbus’ LeVeque Tower remodel project in 2012. In addition to his local work, he participated in projects worldwide, including the Tiki Gardens at Indian Rocks Beach, Fla.

Keith served as president of the National Association of Display Industries from 1964 to 1966.

Contributions may be made in the form of flowers to Make-A-Wish Foundation: 2545 Farmers Drive, #300, Columbus, OH 43235.

Keith will be dearly missed by his family, friends and industry colleagues.