Donations from this memorial fund will go toward helping people relearn to walk.

Dewey Keel, who was known for his infectious smile, booming belly laugh, unique neckties, and quirky sayings, passed away after a year-long battle with leukemia and its complications. His final hospital stay was 78 consecutive days at City of Hope in Duarte, CA. Dewey was mostly confined to his bed due to the severity of his graft versus host disease and later the stroke he suffered on day 25. His favorite part of his day was getting "boots on the ground" which was code for sitting up in bed with his feet on the floor. . . if he was lucky, a device was available to help him stand up with the physical therapy team.

Dewey’s family would like to ensure that more patients at the Duarte City of Hope who want to put "boots on the ground" are not limited by lack of equipment. His memorial funds will first be used to donate the type of equipment that helped Dewey "feel like a human again" such as the Sara Stedy standing device. Any additional funds would be used to purchase adaptive utensil hand grips to increase independence for patients recovering from stroke. Any remaining funds will be used to create and distribute care packages for caregivers who spend their days (and nights) assisting and encouraging their loved ones at this hospital. Our hope is that caregivers who receive a care package will feel seen and know that they deserve to receive love too.

Thank you for your generosity in showing patients and their caregivers that they deserve dignity and respect during their hospital stay at the City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center in Duarte, CA. And thank you for memorializing our beloved father and brother in this very specific, very personal way. Dewey was loved by many and had a generous and giving heart, always finding time to serve others. May he rest in peace, knowing how much he is loved by many and how his memory continues to serve others.

**Special thanks from daughter Kayla, sons Jon and Chris, and sister Lu. We will miss Dewey immensely.**