Keith is survived by his wife Kelley, their two children, Makenzie and Ashton, as well as his parents and brother and sister. Memorial contributions can be mailed to Wachovia Bank, Attn: Nancy Hammer, 15 South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro NC 27203. Checks should be payable to the "Makenzie & Ashton Keith Family Fund".

Master Sgt. Christopher J. Keith, 40, a Special Forces operations sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Panzer Kaserne, Germany, was pronounced dead due to heart complications at a nearby hospital in Boeblingen shortly after arrival.

A native of Lyman, S.C., Keith began active military service in September 1984 as an infantryman. After serving in a number of infantry assignments, he volunteered and was selected for Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1991.

Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course as a Special Forces communications sergeant, Keith was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Devens, Mass. When the group moved to Fort Carson in 1994, Keith came with it, serving here until 1996, when he was reassigned for his first tour with the group's 1st Battalion in Germany.

In 2000, Keith was brought back to the United States to serve as a Special Forces instructor at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg. After five years and a variety of instructor positions at the schoolhouse, Keith returned to Germany and 1-10th SFG for a second tour in January 2005.

Keith's military education includes the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, the Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance and Target Exploitation Course, the Joint Firepower Control Course, the Jungle Warfare Course, the Defense Packaging of Hazardous Materials for Transportation Course, the Winter Operations Instructor Course, The Jumpmaster Course and the Air Assault Course.

His awards and decorations include the Soldier's Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Air Assault Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.