Friday, March 16, 2018

Johnnie's Obituary

With his loving family at his side, Johnnie Lee Keith died in the early morning Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the home of his son in Lakeside. He was 80 years old. Johnnie was born Tuesday, March 16, 1937, in Bernalillo, N.M. to the late Walter Lee Keith and Beulah Petersen Keith.
As a toddler, Johnnie moved to Arizona with his family. He was a graduated member of Snowflake High School's - class of 1954. On September 9, 1955, Johnnie married his sweet bride, Phyllis Wahl, in the Mesa Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they raised two wonderful children, who were each the "lights of their eyes." Sadly, Phyllis died in October 2014, only a month after celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary. For the remainder of his life, Johnnie found a great deal of peace knowing that theirs was a marriage that would last throughout the eternities; even, breaking the bands of death.
In the late '60s, Johnnie, and his brothers-in-law, Bob and Steve Wahl, formed KW Logging. They ran a successful logging company for many, many years. Work was Johnnie's hobby and he taught his family, by example, the value of hard work. His incredible work ethic served him well throughout his life; as he was always able to provide a loving and comfortable home to his family. It has been said that "Johnnie hauled more logs than any other logger in the entire Southwest." He hauled his last load of logs at the age of 78.
Johnnie always possessed a positive attitude and was a true friend to all. He lived by the motto that, "Every day’s a good day!" and recited it daily to his family. He was a man who loved his Lord and sought to serve Him throughout his life. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities of the Church in Arizona and New Mexico; including a calling as the Cibecue Branch President. One of his favorite callings in the Church was that of serving as a Stake Clerk for several years. He knew just about every member of his stake on a first name basis. He was a great example to his family and community in showing them how to experience the joy of serving others. Johnnie was a faithful home teacher throughout his life and even had the opportunity to complete his home teaching assignment, for the last time, in February of this year. He truly loved others and always believed that "When in the service of (his) fellow beings, he was only in the service of God."
He is survived by his son, Kenny (Shawn) Keith of Lakeside; daughter Julene (Mark) Muder of Show Low; sister Janice (Tom) Ingram of Rigby, Idaho; four grandchildren: Chris (Kaylee) Muder of Show Low, Shelly (Nic) Finch of St. Johns, Brian Muder of Phoenix; Danny (Allyse) Keith of Gilbert; eight great-grandchildren: Brooklee Finch, Brinley Finch, Rylie Muder, Kinlee King, Kinadee King, Kannon Keith, Kardon Keith and Tyler Muder.
Along with his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers: Lester Eugene Keith, Larry Gene Keith and Alfred "Poley" Keith.
The public viewing and friends calling will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low. Funeral services will begin 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Love Lake Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 700 E. Love Lake Road in Taylor, where additional visitation will begin one hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Pinedale Cemetery in Pinedale, where he will be laid to rest alongside his forever sweetheart, Phyllis.
The Keith and Muder families are thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up on their behalf. They also extend a special "thank you" to the caring and competent staff of Hospice Compassus who took such loving and gentle care of Johnnie for the last weeks of his life. Their dedication to their father and grandfather will always be remembered.
Today Shelley posted Johnnie's Obituary. It made me sad. I can't believe he is gone. I will try tomorrow to get it posted on this blog.
Gracie and I went to Idaho Falls to the Preparedness Store and pick up some Kamut for Kathy, Ruth and me.
Then we went to CosmoProf to get a little hair dryer and a brush for Gracie's hair. I needed a really small hair dryer for traveling.
Now it's time to go home and pack.
Grateful Statement: I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life. It is the very center of my being. It makes me happy and keeps me grounded.

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