Dr. Keith David Graumann of Pottsboro, Texas passed away on March 10, 2023 at the age of 69.
He was born on May 5, 1953 in Levelland, Texas to August Anton and Phyllis Anne (Montgomery) Graumann. Keith married the love of his life, Carole Ann Barrow, on June 6, 1981, in Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Graumann was a talented musician and conductor. He served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Big Spring Symphony Orchestra and Chorus since the Fall of 2002. A native of Big Spring, he enjoyed a widely varied musical career as performer, conductor, educator and scholar in community, semi-professional, collegiate, church and school venues. He attended Texas Christian University and the University of Oklahoma on a full tuition scholarship. He earned the Bachelor of Music Education, the Master of Music Theory and Composition, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. While at Oklahoma, he held positions as Assistant Conductor of the University of Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra and the state-wide Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, Music Director of Hillcrest Christian Church, and as founding conductor of the Normal Community Choral Society.
Highly respected for his versatility, he also conducted Broadway musicals, modern dance, ballet, and jazz, ensembles, and marching band. Trained as pianist and church organist, he led the popular ‘Not so loud band’ from the keyboard at many university and community functions.
He was awarded a one-year Fullbright Fellowship to Italy, after which he gained international recognition for his research and publications on the music of Vivaldi. In Italy, he also met his wife, the former Ann Barrow of Arbroath, Scotland.
Also active in the community, he was a member of the Greater Big Spring Rotary Club and was an Assistant District Governor of Rotary International. An Eagle Boy Scout in his youth, he served on the advisory council and Eagle board of review for the Buffalo Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was honored in May, 2012 with the annual ‘Good Scout Award.’ He served on the Board of Directors for KPBT, the Permian Basic PBS television station and also as chair of the board for CMEF, the Childrens Music Education Foundation.
In 2004, Keith and his wife purchased Graumann’s Inc. which was an oil field pump and engine repair company located in Big Spring, Texas, until its closing in December of 2020. He was an avid bass fisherman and loved his time on Lake Texoma. He will be deeply missed by his fellow colleagues, friends, and most importantly, his family
Keith is survived by his wife, Carole Ann Graumann of Pottsboro, Texas; two sisters, Beth Rehn of Dallas, Texas and Jonna Graumann of Friso, Texas; two sister-in-law’s, Libby Young and husband Neil, and Sally Berrisford and husband Dave; and eight nieces and nephews.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, August and Phyllis Graumann.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Big Spring Symphony or the Big Spring Humane Society.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
