Keith Possinger

Warren Keith “Herk” Possinger was born on the 5 February 1943 in Port Gamble, Washington by candlelight in the middle of a storm. And that moment, strangely, defined his life – A life of being a light in the storm.

Keith spent his first years in Joyce, Washington before the family settled on the family farm in Port Angeles. Keith loved that old farm and his esteemed Morgan Mare, Ginger. She and Keith had quite the adventures along with his childhood best friend, Jerry Weiler.

Keith attended Roosevelt Junior High and graduated from Port Angeles High School in 1961 where he lettered in Track and Football. Keith held long standing records in Clallam County for discus.

Overcoming huge obstacles defined Keith’s legacy. Despite constant, crippling pain from rheumatoid, psoriatic, and osteo arthritis, Keith had an unmatched work ethic and an even stronger faith in the Lord. His tenacity, strength of character, and kindness are remembered by all who loved and knew Keith.

During the summer following his graduation, Keith met his future wife, Janice Cary, which was the beginning of a 60-year love story. They married the following year. Together they had three children.

Keith attended Seattle Bible Training and for the first seven years of their marriage, Keith held ministry positions at Redmond Assembly of God, Bethany Pentecostal Church (Port Angeles), and Port Angeles Assembly of God.

In 1970, Keith and Jan moved to Kirkland, Washington, with their then 18-month-old son, Jeffrey, where Keith attended Northwest College and simultaneously worked at Pacific Car and Foundry.

In early 1972, Keith opened his own business, Keith’s Welding and Fabrication, in Kirkland, Washington. Keith was a consummate problem-solver and creative thinker. People came from everywhere, because if it could be done, Keith could do it.

Over time, what started as a job shop transformed into Towtem Industries, a manufacturing company that specialized in heavy equipment attachments and systems – in particular, the Towtem Articulating Grapple.

In the mid-1990s, Keith restructured the business and renamed it Sparrow Design Group Inc., based on a Bible verse that was significant to Keith and Jan [Matthew 10:29-31].

In 2000, Keith returned to Northwest College to finish the bachelor’s he’d started in 1970. He was just one semester shy of completing his degree when health issues again created an obstacle. But it didn’t stop his ministry to others.

In 2011, Keith and Jan moved to Spokane; ultimately settling in Spokane Valley.

Although Keith continued his manufacturing business with the help of his son, Ryan, his church community and ministry was the center of his life. Keith served in various roles, including associate pastor, worship leader, Sunday School teacher, and Life Group leader at Life Church Spokane, Airway Height Baptist, and Valleypoint Church. But most remarkable was the everyday ministry Keith had with the people, friends, and customers in his life.

There was nothing more important to Keith than his family, his love for Jesus, and a friendly prank. Every day was a day full of joy for Keith. Not a day went by that you wouldn’t see him studying his Bible and hear him singing or humming a hymn.

The second oldest of eight children, Keith is preceded in death by his mother, Genevieve (Johnson); father, Wilmer Possinger, and his sister, Ruth Ann Byers.

Keith is survived by his wife, Jan; his children Jeffrey Possinger, Kimberly and Shane Jensen, and Ryan and Melody Possinger; his step-mom, Nancy O’Neill Possinger; sisters, Gretchen Woodruff, Patsy (Jan) Yoder, and Mary (Dan) Sofie; brothers, Will (Marsha), Brent (Debbie), and Brian (Cheryl) Possinger; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: Anna Caecilia, Zachary, Jessica, Jadon (Anna), Eli, Rebeccah, Sydney, Joel, Benjamin, Isaac, and Gwen.

Keith died on Wednesday, 17 November 2021 at 4:30 PM surrounded by his wife and three children who sang and prayed with him until the end.

Even in death, Keith answered Jesus’s call – “Come home.”