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Keith Larkin Obituary
1923 - 2011
Resident of Santa Cruz
Keith Larkin, founder of Plantronics Inc., ACS Communications, and Larkin Aircraft; all Santa Cruz County-based companies, went to Heaven to be with the Lord on his birthday September 28, 2011 while celebrating his 88th birthday with his family.
Keith was born in Palatka, Florida in 1923. During WWII, he joined the Army Air Corps and was a flight instructor in B-17's. He later joined MATS, (Military Air Transport Service) flying the Air Force's largest aircraft; the Globe Master. He then trained for air combat in Korea flying P-51 fighter aircraft.
He resigned from the Air force after meeting Cynthia George of Sacramento, CA. They were married and had three children.
Keith and family moved to Santa Cruz in 1956. Keith founded Plantronics Inc. in 1961 which became a major employer at that time.
Keith's next company was Larkin Aircrafts located in Watsonville, CA where he restored WWII aircraft.
He also started Seek Foundation; a nonprofit organization to help underprivileged kids at Deer Valley Ranch.
Later on, Keith started another electronics company in Scotts Valley; ACS Communications which grew to employ three hundred people and manufactured products for ATT and NASA.
In 1973 Keith and family joined Twin Lakes Baptist Church. Keith became very involved in helping children in third world countries with food, hygiene education, and housing programs. His efforts were achieved by working with numerous Christian faith-based organizations.
For the last 10 years, Keith battled with Alzheimer's. He is survived by his wife Cynthia, son Kevin, daughters Kristy Larkin, and Cheryn Salazar, his sister Ira Jane who is 93 years of age and resides in Florida, 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at Twin Lakes Church located in Aptos, CA, 2701 Cabrillo College Dr. on October 15th at 10:30 a.m. The service is open to the public.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to YWAM (Youth with a Mission).
YWAM Honolulu
P.O. Box 61700 Honolulu, HI 96839.
Attention: Danny Lehmann.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
cameron fisher
April 17, 2025
one of the greatest persons to ever come into my life. I can truly say that I met and knew a truly great selfless man that put others in front of himself god bless you keith thank you.
Veronica Chavez-Ramirez
October 18, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Larkin Family.
I would like to say thank you to the Larkin family. I am a Deer Valley kid who was fortunate enough to take part in such a wonderful program. This experience really shaped the person I have become. During my time at camp my mother was very ill. This was a very scary time for a child of nine. While at camp I was allowed to be a child, learning to ride horses, swim, archery, and a whole lot of other things. But most of all I was shown a whole other world outside of the one I was in. This experience inspired to work with at risk youth. I am now an educator working with incarcerated youth.
Thank you so much, I will always will be greatful.
Jeannie Marie (Bork) Stewart
October 6, 2011
The Larkin family came into my life when I was 10 years old. I was raised in a family of 9 children, our father disappeared when the youngest was 2 years old. My mother worked two jobs to support us so she was never at home. We as children were raising each other trying to survive. I will always remember the day Fred Barnes came into our home and offered my mother the opportunity to be a part of a new program for under privileged children, this day changed my life. Fred Barnes and his wife BEBE became my real life time hero’s.
After several years of being a part of this program, we were told that Keith Larkin was behind this amazing program. Keith was always around but, in the back ground. He started engaging more as we grew older introducing us to his wife Cynthia, son Kevin, daughters Kristy and Cheryn. It wasn’t long before his children were participating in the program. We were all treated the same no one acting better than anyone else. I completed high school when I was 16, got a full time job with AT&T. I was promoted when I turned 18 and received my Bachelor of Science at San Jose State. Got married and raised 5 children all who have completed or are still in college. I continued working at AT&T until Nov. 1999 when I retired as a second level manager with a 30 year pension. I feel that I am a very fortunate person who’s life was changed because of Keith’s generosity.
I want to thank the Larkin Family for sharing this incredible person with us the children of Deer Valley Ranch and the many programs that followed.
This note comes to offer you sympathy for the loss of your husband/father and to tell you what a privilege it was to know such a good man. He will be remembered with respect and admiration. He really was my hero for saving me, teaching me so much about life, god and family and giving me the opportunity to meet my many life time friends of Deer Valley Ranch.
nick ruiz
October 4, 2011
thank you for everything you did for me when i needed it the most
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Roland Medley
October 4, 2011
Thanks for the Job Mr. Larkin. You gave me a career that lasted 30 years. Enjoy Haeven!
Aloha,
Roland Medley
October 4, 2011
We feel so honored to have known you...enjoy your reward Mr. Larkin!
To the family: I am sorry for your loss...He filled the room with warmth and vision, and loved each of you very deeply!!!! I am praying for you guys.. Linda Lehmann , Honolulu, Hawaii.
george disbrow
October 4, 2011
So long Kieth you ran a good race
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