Keith Smith was born in Colorado Springs, CO. He is the elder son of career U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Billy Ray Smith and Joyce Smith. He typically moved, along with the rest of his family, including four siblings, Karen, Kevin, Karyl, and Kim, to different military posts in Colorado, Texas, Germany, and Alaska. After graduating from Andress High School in El Paso, TX, Smith received a BS in Education from The University of North Texas and a MA in Mathematics from Texas Woman's University. He taught both high school and college level mathematics courses in Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. He is currently retired and lives with his wife Mary Crafts in Casa Grande, Arizona.