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Clayton “Keith” Mugford, 77, a resident of Jacobsville passed away on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at UP Health System-Marquette with his family at his side.
He was born on December 21, 1940 in Ahmeek to Clayton Collins “Jack” and Dorothy L. (Smith) Mugford. He loved to tell stories about his boyhood days in Ahmeek.
When the family moved to Laurium, he attended Calumet High School and participated in football and track for 4 years, graduating in 1959. He attended Suomi College.
On August 1, 1960, he was united in marriage to Elsa Bergh at the Calumet United Methodist Church. They raised two daughters in Laurium and Jacobsville, and celebrated 57 years of marriage on August 1, 2017.
Keith worked as an orderly at Houghton County Hospital and as a Dipper at the C&H Smelter in Hubbell before beginning his 37 years as a journeyman lineman for the Upper Peninsula Power Company, retiring in 2001.
Keith’s devotion and dedication to family was always his first priority. He encouraged, guided and supported his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in whatever they chose to do, in school or in life. They were his pride and joy.
Fast pitch softball was a big part of his life starting at age 16 when he played centerfield with the Carlings team. He played with the Bosch team who won the Class “A” Championship in 1969. He also played with the Woodies Bar team in Ishpeming. He enjoyed playing and competing in all of these sports, but it was the enduring friendships he valued the most. Additionally, Keith coached the Rowe Moving Squirt “A” team with Carl Bjorn during the 1974/75 season. These young boys formed life-long friendships with him. Getting on the links was another competitive sport he enjoyed with his brother Bill and his Houghton buddies who formed the Bosch Open in 2005 at the Portage Golf Course. The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Blackhawks, Cleveland Indians, and Ohio State were the teams he rooted for on game day.
He was a member of the Calumet United Methodist Church, IBEW Union, and the Houghton County Historical Society and Keweenaw County Historical Society.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Dorothy Mugford.
He is survived by:
His wife: Elsa Mugford of Jacobsville
2 daughters: Ann (Tom) Snow of Houghton
Kay Mugford of Mesa, Arizona
2 grandchildren: Tom (Kaylie) Snow of Marquette and Erin (Robert) Johnson of Traprock Valley
4 great grandchildren: Jack and Leona Snow, Eleanor Johnson, and baby boy Johnson due in October.
His brother: Bill (Kathy) Mugford of Iron Mountain
His sister: Marilyn Butkovich of Atlanta, Georgia
And numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 12:00 pm at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet with Rev. Robert Langseth to officiate. Friends may call at the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 12:00 pm.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations in Keith’s name may be sent to:
Beacon House, 1301 N. 3rd Street, Marquette, MI 49855; Bay Cliff Health Camp, N4175 Bay Cliff Dr. Big Bay, MI 49808; and Calumet Hockey Association, PO Box 385, Calumet, Michigan 49913.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com
The Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home in Calumet is assisting the family with the arrangements
