Keith Leija was born on May 24, 1981, in Temple, Texas, and he passed away on September 1, 2026, in the same hometown he proudly called his own, following natural causes.

Keith lived a life defined by service, determination, and heart. He was a Christian man whose faith was reflected not only in his words, but in the way he showed up for people, gave of himself freely, and believed that every person had the power to make a difference. He carried himself with purpose and with a spirit that encouraged others to do more, love more, and believe more. His life was a reminder that a meaningful legacy is not measured by titles alone, but by the lives we touch along the way.

Keith was a proud graduate of Belton High School, and from there he built a life centered on hard work, leadership, and community. As the Owner and President of Key Power Solutions LLC, he served as a Commercial Energy Broker and trusted energy consultant for Texas business owners. He helped others navigate important decisions with confidence and clarity, and he earned respect through both his knowledge and his integrity. People often joked that he was a professional volunteer with a business on the side, and that saying captured his spirit well, because Keith gave his time, energy, and talent generously wherever they were needed.

His commitment to service was felt across Central Texas and beyond. Keith was a dedicated member of the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years, where he received numerous awards and accolades for his leadership and involvement. He was named 2012 Ambassador of the Year, was part of the 2012 Leadership Belton Graduating Class, received Citizen of the Year in 2015, Ambassador of the Year again in 2016, served on the Board of Directors from 2015 through 2020, became Chairman of the Board in 2017, and was recognized as a Community Partner in 2022. He also served with the BNI Patriot of Profit Chapter in Killeen from 2012 to 2018, where he worked in support and leadership roles before being promoted to Support Director. Through that work, he helped small businesses grow through the power of word-of-mouth referrals and the strength of genuine connection.

Keith also gave his time to the Belton Rotary, where he served as President from July 2016 through June 2017, and he spent a brief but meaningful time with the Temple Jaycees, where he was named Rookie of the Year in 2014 and served as President in 2015. During that same season of service, he was also a member of the Belton Lions Club. For more than 15 years, Keith served as the Belton 4th of July Festival Chairman, a role he truly loved. He helped the festival grow year after year, and he took great pride in the team he built and the joy the event brought to the community. One of his favorite volunteer moments was helping deliver 50,000 meals to children through The Boys and Girls Club, because he believed deeply that no child should go hungry. That was Keith. He did not just talk about caring for people. He lived it.

Keith found joy in the simple and meaningful things in life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing pool, and he was a longtime member of Central Texas APA, where he qualified for Nationals in both 8-ball and 9-ball numerous times. He loved spending time out at Oscar and taking in the peace of nature at the Gottschalk’s Cabin. He even had a favorite tree stump he would visit when he needed a break from city life, a quiet place that reflected his appreciation for stillness, reflection, and the beauty of the outdoors. He also treasured his Sunday phone calls with his Uncle Robert, and those conversations became a cherished rhythm in his life.

Keith enjoyed live music with the love of his life and with friends and family, and he loved traveling to New Orleans, Nashville, and Las Vegas many times, always with the excitement of more adventures ahead. He especially enjoyed cooking a wide range of cuisines, though his specialty was smoking barbecue. He proudly credited his father-in-law for passing down recipes and styles that became part of his own tradition, and he never hesitated to say the food would be ready after one more beer. That humor, warmth, and confidence were part of what made him unforgettable.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Yolanda Leija, and his father-in-law, Ricardo Dominguez. He is survived by his spouse, Monika Dominguez of Temple, Texas; his siblings, Carmen Rodriguez of Laredo, Connie and Jose Gonzalez of Bartlett, Becky Ivey and partner Wayne Spillers of Temple, Sarah Olchesky of Temple, Sam Garay of Temple, Lisa Hook of Academy, and Marisa and Daron Powers of Temple. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including Jenny and Rick, Rueben, Stefanie and Michael, Daniel, Jose, Jennifer, Edward and Chantel, James and Tara Lynn, Patrick, Arianna, and Bryce, along with his great-nieces and great-nephews. He held special relationships with Uncle Robert, Lupe, known lovingly as Momma D, Uncle Ernest, Aunt Alma, and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins who were part of the fabric of his life.

Keith will be remembered as a man who led with generosity, lived with intention, and inspired others through action. He had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and encouraged, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to speak through the community he strengthened and the family he loved. He will be missed by all, and he would want to be remembered by the belief that love changes the world.