Oct. 10, 1933-Jan. 22, 2023
Blaine Keyes, (known as Coley by most) of Central, Utah passed away suddenly on Jan. 22, 2023. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He will be truly missed in so many ways.
Blaine was born on Oct. 10, 1933, in St. George, Utah, to Grant Zenis Keyes and Janet Keyes, and he was the sixth of eight children and a twin with his sister Beverly. He was raised in Central, Utah, with his seven siblings and attended high school in St. George.
Blaine joined the U.S. Army in 1955 where he was eventually stationed in Fulda, Germany. He served as a Special Private 3rd Class as part of “C” Company, 14th Armored Cavalry Brigade where he received awards for marksmanship in the sub-machine gun. He served two years overseas and received an honorable discharge in 1957. Afterwards, he returned home and worked in Southern Nevada as part of the Teamsters Union. In 1960 he met his wife, Ramah Keyes, mother of his three children Kyndi, Kevin, and Kimberly.
In 1983 Blaine remarried to Julie Helen Saxton and the family grew substantially larger as Julie had six children of her own: Kip, Kelleen, Kristie, Kory, Kirk and Kyle. Now, what are the odds of all nine kids’ names beginning with the letter “K”? Julie and Blaine lived in Central at the home where he was raised. They both worked and retired from the City of St. George then spent their time with family and friends, camping, hunting, raising a garden and tending to the orchard and yards.
Blaine loved to spend time in his shop making woodwork projects for his grandchildren and friends. He loved hunting, fishing and looking for arrowheads with his friends and family. In his younger years, he loved riding horses, going to rodeos, calf roping as well as going to the dances afterward. He was a really good dancer.
He was preceded in death by his parents Grant and Janet, brother Boyden, sisters Beryl, Elaine, Karma and Colleen. He is survived by his loving wife Julie, children Kyndi, Kevin and Kim, stepchildren Kip, Kelleen, Kristie, Kory, Kirk and Kyle. He is also survived by his two sisters Beverly and Yvonne, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Blaine will be greatly missed. His memory and stories will be carried on in the hearts of his family and friends forever.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the LDS Chapel at 176 E. Center St., Veyo, Utah. A viewing will be held from 11 a.m.-12:30 pm, with services following at 1 p.m. Interment will take place in the Central, Utah, Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Blaine’s online guest book.