Keith Emery Hough, 64, of Allegan passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids on Oct. 9, 2018. He was the son of Clarence (Bud) And Barbara (Bartz) Hough
Keith graduated from Allegan High School in 1973. While still in high school, he began his more than 50-year career training and racing standard-bred horses. He had many state champions and was known for his knack to hang up a horse, especially a trotter. A few of the more notable horses were Raceway Willy who won the 1985 Dygert Memorial at Hawthorne racecourse. Willy was known for helping Keith purchase his 100-acre farm.
He also trained and raced many quality horses that included Admirals Express, Aeropostale, Incredible Child, Mcguffin, Sheridan Raider, Emery Ho and Kendall Marie, who was also his first sire stake champion. He was also known for helping and teaching many younger horse-people starting their careers and becoming successful at their trade.
He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting waterfowl to small game, deer and fishing on his farm in Allegan. Keith also loved being outdoors playing golf with friends and just a good old-fashioned barbecue on his custom built cookers or smokers.
He loved projects such as welding and building or designing new things to help out with things around his farm or house. Keith also loved watching football and was an avid Los Angeles Rams fan since he was a kid.
He was preceded in death by both parents, Clarence and Barbara.
He is survived by both of his sisters, Norma Miller and Sandra Westin, both residing in California; his wife of 22 years Claudia Hough, stepson Steve Bowerman and step-grandchildren Gregory and Rickie Bowerman; his three sons, Brian Hough, Kevin and wife Ember Hough and Kelly and wife Katie Hough; and grandchildren Kylee Hough, Kendall Hough and Keegan Hough
Keith will be cremated. There will be a memorial and celebration of life at Keith and Claudia’s farm to be announced at a future date.
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