Ray Keith

Fire Lieutenant Ray Keith of Delray Beach Fire Rescue in Florida, fought a courageous two-year battle with occupational colon cancer. He succumbed to the disease on October 18, 2023 at the age of 31. He had served with the DBFR since October, 2016. 

Keith was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Trinidadian father, Ray, and an American mother, Ida. He was one of six siblings. He spent the first half of his childhood in New York before moving to Florida in the early 2000s. His childhood asthma improved after living in Florida. The experience of being hospitalized for this illness, where the nurses and first responders inspired him to live a life of service to others, ultimately led him to enter the fire service. Keith was one of the department’s first 21 lieutenants promoted to serve as an officer on a rescue company. He was certified in hazardous materials, was a member of the DBFR Honor Guard and was a leader for the DBFR Explorer Program, where he inspired young people to pursue their dreams and serve others. His commitment to uplifting young black girls and boys empowered them to believe in their potential. He was named the 2022 Firefighter of the Year. He was everything a firefighter should be – brave, kind, compassionate and selfless. He maintained a positive outlook on life and was the kind of person everyone wanted to be around.

Keith and his future wife, Amanda, met in middle school, and overtime became best friends with a lot in common. They started dating after high school and knew they were made for each other. They married and had three children together: son, Gabriel, and twins, Kairo and Willow. A cherished moment in their lives was finding out they were having twins, after struggling with infertility for several years. He was a dedicated husband and father, a man of faith and inspiration. He loved traveling and was proud of all he had accomplished.

Fire Lieutenant Ray Keith of Delray Beach Fire Rescue in Florida is survived by his loving wife, Amanda, his son, Gabriel, his twins, Kairo and Willow, his mother, Ida, his siblings, and many other cherished family members.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Keith family a mortgage-free home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.