St. George, Utah - Kenneth John Keate graduated from this life on 26 December 2024.  He was 96 years old.

Ken entered this life on 4 May 1928 in Los Angeles, California; born to John Ezra "Jack" Keate and Olive Herrick Keate. They moved to Nevada a few years later and Ken spent most of his growing up years in Moapa Valley. He graduated from Moapa Valley High School, moved on to Dixie College and then graduated from Brigham Young University.

Ken met Donna Jean Gibbons from St. Johns, Arizona in a chow line at BYU and told her she was the girl he intended to marry.  They were able to make that happen at the Mesa Temple in Mesa, Arizona on 26 May 1950.  They were blessed with seven lovely children as they walked through life together.

He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities: as a Stake Missionary in the SW Indian Mission, Branch President, Bishop, and multiple High Council callings.  He loved the Gospel and all that it brought into his life.

Ken held many jobs throughout his life and gained many skills that enriched his life for the better.  He and Donna moved around frequently to accommodate the jobs he held. They lived in Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, Ohio, and Utah finally settling in Overton, Nevada where he grew up.

Ken lost his sweet wife, Donna, to cancer in the fall of 1994. He was devastated.  He was blessed to find love again when he married Connie Ricks and moved to St. George, Utah. They lived together there until her passing several years later.

He was preceded in death by his wives, his parents, his brother, Bob, and a granddaughter. Survivors include adopted younger brother, Jim (Jackie) Stevens; children: Michael (Cindy) Keate, Craig (Laura) Keate, Margaret (Paul) Levar, Kristin (Jack) Howe, Robert (Jeanette) Keate, Barbara (Jason) Harward, Brian (Dawn) Keate; and multitudes of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with a viewing prior at 9:00 a.m., in the Bloomington 3rd Ward Chapel, 3519 Manzanita Road, St. George, Utah.

Interment will be held on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) at the Pioneer Hill Cemetery in Overton, Nevada.

The family wishes to thank all the family members, friends, neighbors, and ward members who have visited and ministered to Dad over the last months and years. We are also so grateful for the excellent care he received from the healthcare workers at Seasons Health and Rehab and the special care given by Michelle Smith from Zion's Way Home Health and Hospice.

Kenneth Keate Funeral Service Program