Keith Ross Davies passed away peacefully at his home on Monday December 6, 2021 after a long and productive life spent building the world and the people around him. He was preceded in death by his wife (Nola) and his sister (Catherine). He is survived by his three sisters: Anne, Barbara, and Carolyn; his four children: Diane (Bill), Shannon, Christian (Melissa), and Allison (Kyle); as well has his ten grandchildren: Scott, Aaron, Kelly, Nick, Taylor, Jonathan, Katelyn, Samantha, Anthony, and Daniel, and two bonus grandchildren, Isabella and Gwen; and five great grandchildren.
Keith was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Daniel and Lillian Davies. He graduated from South High School, served in the Army reserves, and earned a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Utah.
Keith served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Dakota and then married Nola Burton Davies on May 25, 1965 in the Salt Lake temple.
Keith spent his life and career building and improving on the world around him – from big things like helping to design freeways and stations on the Trax transit system, to a cabin enjoyed by generations of family members, to small and delightful design improvements in the kitchens, homes, and yards of everyone he knew.
These physical improvements to the world will live on and be constant reminders of Keith’s presence and impact, but it was his building of the people around him that will be his true legacy. He was never too busy and never let an opportunity pass that would create memories for his kids and grandkids – Grandpa Keith was a constant and dependable source of joy. He was there to ride scooters and play games (often getting exactly the same Christmas presents as his grandkids); he was there to go wading in the creek by the cabin or to build fabulous bubble makers to play with at family parties.
He loved the beauty and mystery of the earth – observing the majesty of the mountains every day, pondering the geological history of Lake Bonneville, and wondering about the infinite nature of the universe. He seemed to never stop contemplating the world around him, and he undoubtedly never retired in the traditional sense. Right up to the end Keith met every day with considerable determination to leave things better than he found them – which he most certainly did.
Services will be held on Friday, December 10th at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park (3401 S Highland Drive) at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing one hour before.
