Blaine "Coley" Keyes

Blaine Keyes, (known as Coley by most) of Central, Utah passed away suddenly on January 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 October 10, 1933, in St. George, Utah to Grant Zenis Keyes and Janet Keyes, and he was the 6th of eight children, and a twin with his sister Beverly. He was raised in Central, Utah with his 7 siblings and attended high school in St. George Utah.

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 where the family grew substantially larger as Julie had six children of her own, Kipp, 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 afterwards. 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 & Kim, stepchildren Kipp, 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, where his memory and stories will be carried on in the hearts of his family and friends forever.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday January 28, 2023, at the LDS Chapel at 176 E. Center Street, Veyo, Utah, 84728. A viewing will be held from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, with services following at 1:00 pm. Interment will take place in the Central, Utah Cemetery.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to leave a memory on Blaine’s obituary page at www.spilsburymortuary.com