Keith Howard Empey

Keith Howard Empey, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home on July 8, 2023. He was born December 6, 1932, in St. George, Utah, to Howard Empey and Norma Bringhurst Empey. He married and was sealed to Margaret Ann Mumford on August 18, 1960, in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Keith was raised in St. George, Utah, where he helped on the family farm, played football and other sports, and participated in 4-H. He graduated from Woodward High School in 1949, and Dixie Junior College as a Lower Division Graduate in May of 1952. Keith was drafted into the army late in 1952 and honorably discharged in May of 1955. After returning, he began working for the Washington County Road Department and purchased a 60-acre farm. While working at the road department, he was involved in a life-threatening incident resulting in second and third-degree burns on most of his body. Later, Keith worked for the Washington County School District for 25 years before retiring in 1987. Because of his hard work and many abilities, the school district had the smallest maintenance staff and the lowest maintenance overhead of any school district in the state.

Keith was an active member of the LDS church and enjoyed serving as a scoutmaster for over 20 years, and also served in many other callings. He enjoyed spending time at the family’s Pine Valley cabin, tending to his gardens, playing card games with family, going on daily runs or walks, and learning about wildlife.

Keith’s greatest accomplishment was the legacy he left behind and the values he taught his sons, such as: the ethics of work, the power of honesty, and the importance of family. He accepted his daughters-in-law as his own. He made each of his grandchildren feel like they were the most important. When his sons started their business, he was right there helping them and making sure they got a good start to their success. He loved creating lasting memories that will always be with each of us. 

He is survived by wife, Margaret; children, Bret (Julie) Empey, Alan (Claudia) Empey, Dale (Janna) Empey; grandchildren Amanda (Neal) Empey-Cooper, Gary (Kacey) Empey, Christopher (Whitney) Empey, Landon (Lizzie) Empey, Kimberly (Mitchell) Hancock, T.J. (Jessica) Empey, Ann (Jake) Brooks, Sarah (Brendan) Bliss, Melissa (Jace) Fugate, Brian (Maddie) Empey, Elizabeth (Arrow) Corpus, Kaden Empey, and Casandra (Jorgie) Empey-Cuara; along with 28 great-grandchildren, all of St. George. Additionally, he is survived by sisters Janice (Ralph) Lamoreaux and Lawanna Justet of St. George, and Carla (George) Christiansen of Prescott, Arizona. He is preceded in death by his parents; son Gary Empey; brothers Merlin Empey and Kendall Empey; and brother-in-law Eugene Justet.

A viewing will be held Friday, July 14, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, East Stake Center, 449 South 300 East, St. George, Utah.

Graveside service will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11:30 am, at the St. George City Cemetery, 650 East Tabernacle St, St. George, Utah.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454.

Friends and family are invited to sign Keith’s online guest book at www.spilsburymortuary.com.