Keith LeRoy Ockey, 87, was called home Saturday, March 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 12, 1935, to Ira Leroy and Lena (Miles) Ockey in Price, UT; married LaRene Winters June 17, 1954, in the Manti Temple.
Keith spent most of his life growing up in Orangeville, where he learned the value of hard work on the family farm and inherited his love of hunting, fishing, gardening, and music.
Keith began his career as an electrician with the startup and commission of the first unit of the coal fired power plant unit in Kemmerer, WY, while attending school in Salt Lake City, UT. He was very proud of this accomplishment, which was the beginning of a successful career of over 30 years with Utah Power & Light, where he also made many lifelong friends. He was the electrical supervisor of Carbon Plant when he retired.
The LDS Church was a focal point of Keith’s life. He and LaRene sang at many funerals and church events. They served a Castle Dale Stake Mission to the Manti Temple, as well as a Family History mission to the Washington Tacoma area. He also had many other church callings, among them a scoutmaster, counselor in the bishopric, stake high council, and served in the Scofield Branch presidency.
But Keith’s most important calling was husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He and LaRene had six children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He taught his children valuable life lessons filled with precious memories of their time with him. He valued family gatherings, including dressing up in red with a white beard around Christmas and making surprise visits to friends and family with little ones and seeing their delight at the special visitor. At the culmination of a life filled with love and caring, he was surrounded by loved ones and wonderful, caring neighbors.
Keith is survived by his wife LaRene of Helper; children, Sue (Jack) Bogdin, Helper, Carol (Dan) Wells, East Carbon, Calvin (Lisa), Price, MariAnne Stocker, Price, Sandra (Wayne) Stewart, Fairview, Mark (Linnea), Taylorsville.
Preceded in death by parents; grandchildren, Jacqueline Bogdin, Eric Bogdin, Christopher Holderness, Louis Schaefer; and faithful companion, ‘Buffy.’
Funeral service, Friday, March 11, 2022, 11:00 a.m., Helper Stake Center where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome and may share memories of Keith online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT.
On behalf of the Ockey family, we would like to extend many thanks to Dr. Glenn Etzel and his staff, Rick Stockburger, and the staff from Symbii, Bishop Bradley and Helper LDS Ward, and Keith and LaRene’s close neighbors for their excellent care and love during this time.