Keith passed away on Tuesday November 26, 2024, leaving a family who loves him dearly and will miss him very much.

Left to cherish his memory is Christine, to whom he was married for nearly 51 years. Missing him greatly are daughters Sheena (Mike) and Amber (Cody). Also left to mourn are older brother Dwain (Anita), sister Cherie, and younger brother Lloyd (Kit) and nieces and nephews. Keith will also be remembered by mother-in-law Pauline Sawka, sister-in-law Patricia Huculak, and brother-in-law Greg Sawka (Minerva).

Keith was predeceased by his father, Clarence, in 1987 and his mother, Jo, in 2010. Father-in-law Nick Sawka passed away in 1998, brother-in-law Christopher Huculak in 2008, and niece Heather (Huculak) Rose in 2012.

Keith was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta to Clarence and Jo Johnson on November 22, 1950. He spent an idyllic childhood in Valemount, BC. Then in 1965 the family moved to Vernon.

Hot cars were a love of his as a teenager and he was a proud member of the Scavengers Car Club. At a party one night at the clubhouse, he met and fell in love with Christine. They began dating in the spring of 1970 and were together until the end.

A love of woodworking spurred Keith to craft many projects for his family and friends. He could be a perfectionist so it just might have taken him a little longer than usual to finish a project, but it would always be worth the wait.

Keith grew great tomatoes. He could spend hours with his tomatoes, often with Amber, who was uncannily adept at spotting the fat green tomato worms! He liked his beer and became very good at crafting the brew. There was always a batch on tap.

Keith and Sheena were avid Vipers hockey fans and season tickets were always on the menu as were beer (Keith) and hot chocolate (Sheena) and a shared order of french fries between first and second periods.

A major accomplishment for Keith was self-building their house on Wallace Road in the early 1970’s. Self-building is an arduous journey. It is said that if you, as a couple, are still together after the experience, then you are in a good place.

Consumers Glass in Lavington played a huge role in Ketih’s life. He began his working years there in April of 1971 where he made many life-long friends and was comforted by lots of cherished memories.

The most important people in Keith’s life post-stroke were the angels at Polson Special Care Facility, who took loving care of him from September of 2015 until his passing. We love you!

 

Please join us in hoisting a brew in Keith’s honour on Saturday, April 12 in the Emerald Room at the Schubert Centre, 3505 30th Avenue, between 1pm and 3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Keith’s name to the Schubert Centre or the Vernon Animal Auxiliary 3100 A 29th Avenue.

 

 

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com