Keith Woods Crandall

Keith Woods Crandall, 105, beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away quietly on December 29, 2023 in Farmington, UT.  Keith was preceded in death by:  Betty Jean Crandall (wife), Estella Mock (mother), Horace Crandall (father), Thomas V. Mock (pop), Leonard Keith Crandall (son), Marsha Lee Sanderson (daughter), Burt Crandall (brother), George Crandall (brother), Sidney Crandall (brother), and Peggy Mower (sister).

Keith is survived by:  Sons: Rick (Merikay), Ron (Kellie), Shane (Stephanie), and daughter: Linda.  Grandchildren:  Wendi (Kirt), Michelle (Kasey), Carrie, Kim (Ethan), Dustin (Paula), Tammie, Britnie (Brian), Zack (Cori), Michael (Keri), Tyson (Haley), and Paige (John).  Great grandchildren:  Kylie (Kendall), Brandi (Chris), Lexie, Alex, Brandon, Jason, Jonah, Naomi, Camryn, Cheyenne (Alex), Sierra, Asher, Atticus, Moe, Mazie, Noah, Beau, Redd, and Kit.  Great great grandchildren:  Hudson, Hayes, Harlie, Liv, Ellie, Christopher and Evie.  Also, survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Keith lived a very full and eventful life and was a shining example of industriousness and discipline.  His early years during the Great Depression brought scarcity and hard times, but he learned to love and enjoy life regardless of the challenges that came his way. In his youth, they would hitch hike from Salt Lake City to Cherry Hill in Kaysville and pick cherries to earn money.  They earned 1 cent per pound, and would pick the tree completely clean to be able to earn as much money as possible for the family. During High School he joined the ROTC so he would have a change of clothes for school.

Keith began working in 1932 at the young age of 14 in the Safeway Market across from West High School. At age 16 he became an apprentice meat cutter working after school each day and all day on Saturdays. Then at age 18 he became the meat cutter at Safeway. The attributes he learned of hard work and dedication were permanent features and aspects of his life.

He married Betty Jean Wycherly on July 23^rd, 1950.  They were later sealed for eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on June 19^th, 1959. They completed their family with six children.

He was a returned veteran of the United States of America, having served bravely in the Army Air Corp during World War ll and Airforce during the Korean War. He was also a Master Sergeant in the reserves from 1946-1953.  After his release from the Airforce he worked for Cate Equipment and Bucyrus Erie as a traveling sales man for mining equipment. At age 65, he retired from sales and worked as a surveyor for Hill West Engineering, then worked for the Bountiful Lions as the Range Master. He retired completely at age 94 after working for 80 years. He was a hard worker, with an unsurpassable work ethic.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was central to Keith’s life and he held many callings as he sought to serve the Lord, his family and those around him.  He especially enjoyed serving as a Boy Scout Leader with the youth. 

Keith was the steadfast patriarch of five generations during his life.  He always set a remarkable example by living with integrity and always pursuing a life-long love of continued learning.  He loved to read and taught himself so many things, some of which include Calculus, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics in his 80’s, 90’s and even into his 100’s.  Most of the time you could find Keith in his reading room, a book in hand.  Keith provided his family with wise and loving leadership and was always a pillar of strength for those around him.  He was a trusted confidant, careful listener and a steadfast friend. 

Through his lifetime of 105 years, he learned and taught us much. He developed and shared his many talents with family and friends. He was a skilled woodworker and gunsmith, an avid fisherman and camper and a talented cook.  Keith used his talent as a woodworker to build beautiful, priceless works of art for others.  He loaded all of his own ammunition and spent hours tirelessly teaching his trades and skills to his children and grandchildren. 

Happy Pappy’s camping trips were legendary and all the grandkids have fond memories of cuddling with him in the hammock.  Keith was known for his homemade frozen custard, amazing hamburgers, rotisserie chicken, delicious fish fry’s and incomparable buttermilk pancakes.  All of his family share fond memories of sitting around a kitchen table, the smell of bacon frying and a stack of hot buttermilk pancakes (whether you wanted more or not) sitting on their plates.  He has passed on his recipe to his family, but his were always the best.  He just somehow added something extra special every time he cooked for us. 

He was the stalwart rock of our family, providing unending service and quiet love.  His lessons of honesty and integrity will live on inside each and every one of us.  Keith will be dearly missed and we will always cherish all of our wonderful memories of him. He leaves a legacy of a loving, hardworking father with a life-long passion for learning and a strong unwavering testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and His restored gospel.

Our family would like to give our heartfelt thanks the staff at Covington Senior Living, Symbii Hospice and Kendall and Lisa Summers for taking such exceptional care of our dad and grandpa this past year.

Funeral services for Keith will be on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 11:00 am at Pages Lane Ward, 1476 N. 300 W., Bountiful. Friends and family may gather and view one hour prior to the services beginning at 10:00 am. Keith will be laid to rest at Memorial Lakeview Mortuary & Cemetery, 1640 E. Lakeview Drive, Bountiful.