Keith Thomas Gedamke was born on May 2, 1970, in Long Island, New York. He moved with his family to Stuart, Florida, as a child. Keith graduated from Stuart High School, which is where he developed his passion for photography. He also attended Santa Fe College. In 1994, he joined The Sumter Item newspaper as a photographer / photojournalist. With a love for the Item newspaper and the Sumter community, Keith continued his employment as the newspaper's photographer until his death on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, from cancer.

Keith is survived by his mother, Marie Stein of Stuart; his brother, Daniel Gedamke and family of Stuart; and two sisters, Carol Eberlein of Long Island and Ellen Clemence and family of Falmouth, Massachusetts. He was loved by his cousins, Todd and Jason Gedamke and their family; and his beloved uncle, Rudy Gedamke. Keith is also survived by all of the members of his Sumter Item family.

The Gedamke family would like to extend a thank you to the members of the Sumter community for their love of Keith.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the City Centre Downtown. Former Item photographer Chris Moore will officiate the ceremony and friends will be invited to speak about Keith's life.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Keith Thomas Gedamke, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.